could you please explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Could you please explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want someone to explain something to you, either in writing or in speech. For example: "Could you please explain why you changed the payment methods for this project?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Could you please explain the code? A. There isn't really any code.

The New York Times

Could you please explain why Uranus is laying/spinning on its side?

Cornell University

The reader asked Jobs: Could you please explain the necessity of the passive location-tracking tool embedded in my iPhone?

The Guardian - Tech

Is it likely to be the same this year and could you please explain why this is?

The Guardian - Travel

Could you please explain what makes you believe these repressions are "truth" if you lived in Russia/Moscow but not these particular regions in Ukraine?

University of California, Berkeley

Could you please explain your role when you were on the board of Harken... in the sale of 1989 of its Aloha Petroleum subsidiary, which later caused the S.E.C. to require Harken to restate its earnings?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If you did not use the decision aid for eligibility selection-could you please explain why?

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

I have a very high regard for my classmate Judy Richards, but as we are essentially the same age, can you please explain how she could have founded a law firm that was established in 1951?

Harvard University

Now that the New York Times has publicly debunked your Powell's article, How I Wrote Life of Pi, would you please explain how you could have written so many fatal misstatements about the novel from which you so clearly appropriated the premise for The Life of Pi?

The Guardian - Books

"Will you please explain?" "No".

The New Yorker

Can you please explain exactly what you need?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could you please explain", be specific about what you need explained. This helps the other person provide a focused and helpful response.

Common error

Avoid using "could you please explain" without providing context or specifying what you need clarification on. Ambiguous requests can lead to vague or unhelpful explanations. Instead, try to be direct and clear about what part requires an explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could you please explain" functions as a polite interrogative request. It is used to solicit information or clarification from someone in a respectful manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could you please explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for requesting clarification. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s appropriate in various settings, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, specificity enhances its effectiveness. Alternative expressions include "can you clarify" or "would you mind explaining", offering stylistic variations. The key is to maintain clarity and respect in your communication, making "could you please explain" a valuable tool for fostering understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you elaborate on that

Uses "elaborate" to ask for more detail, implying a need for a more thorough explanation.

Can you clarify this

Replaces "explain" with "clarify", focusing on making something easier to understand.

Would you mind explaining

Uses a slightly more formal tone with "would you mind", softening the request.

Can you give me more details

Shifts the focus to requesting specific details rather than a general explanation.

Please explain further

Adds "further" to request additional explanation or continuation of a previous one.

Could you break it down for me

Asks for a simplification of a complex topic, using a more informal tone.

Can you walk me through it

Implies a step-by-step explanation, suitable for processes or procedures.

What does this mean

Directly asks for the meaning of something, suitable for jargon or unfamiliar terms.

Help me understand

Expresses a need for assistance in understanding something, emphasizing the speaker's difficulty.

I don't understand, can you explain

States a lack of understanding before requesting an explanation, emphasizing the need for clarification.

FAQs

How can I use "could you please explain" in a sentence?

You can use "could you please explain" to politely ask for clarification or further information on a specific topic. For example, "Could you please explain the new policy changes?"

What are some alternatives to "could you please explain"?

Alternatives include "can you clarify", "can you elaborate", or "would you mind explaining", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "can you please explain" more or less formal than "could you please explain"?

"Could you please explain" is generally considered more polite and formal than "can you please explain". Using "could" adds a degree of deference to the request.

When is it appropriate to use "could you please explain"?

It's appropriate to use "could you please explain" in most situations where you need someone to clarify something, especially when you want to maintain a polite and respectful tone, such as in professional emails, academic discussions, or formal conversations.