explain about this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain about this" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would be simply "explain this" or "explain about it" in specific contexts. Example: "Can you explain this concept to me in more detail?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I should explain about this apartment: it was very nice, very new, and the main part of it was open two stories up.

The New Yorker

Briefly and succinctly explain about this innate trait with sensitive nervous system and how you are affected by sensory input.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They were creative and energetic people, always scheming and searching for opportunity, always waiting for someone to rob," he explains about this swamp-grown Ford County clan.

The New York Times - Books

So I explained about this new wall.

Huffington Post

"It's a really great way to learn new skills or hone your existing ones," he explains about this, his so-called everydays project.

Vice

A kothi-identified peer educator similarly reported: "We have explained about this [VISP], but whether after knowing about VISP they [MSM community] would participate or not, we don't know; because everyone is afraid of testing positive for HIV" (KI4, Chennai).

BMC Public Health

Select the following stages: Hyrule Temple (what we'll explain about in this article).

WikiHow

Differences in "productivity" (publication records) can explain about 60% of this differential.

Research Policy

Statistics show the U.S. economy has grown faster under Democratic presidents, but research by professors Alan Blinder '67 and Mark Watson suggests that factors associated with luck explain about half of this performance gap.

Princeton University

I'm sure no one will refuse, especially if someone attends him from the MUI who explains about the halalness of this vaccine and also someone from the drug company making this vaccine and also a physician who explains about the danger from rotavirus infection.

BMC Health Services Research

This explains about the activity of the photocatalysts towards hydrogen production via water splitting, water treatment towards inorganic contaminants with or without dye sensitization activity as well.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the concise and grammatically correct form "explain this" or "explain it". The word "about" is redundant in this context.

Common error

Avoid using "about" after "explain" when "this" or "it" is the direct object. Using "explain this" or "explain it" is more direct and grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain about this" functions as an attempt to request clarification or information regarding a particular subject. However, it is grammatically flawed due to the redundant use of "about." Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "explain about this" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The redundancy of "about" makes it less precise than alternatives like ""explain this"" or "explain it". Ludwig AI highlights the grammatical issue, advising the use of more concise and grammatically sound alternatives. For clearer communication, especially in formal or professional contexts, it's best to avoid "explain about this" and opt for its more direct counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain this

Removes the unnecessary "about", resulting in a more concise and grammatically correct expression.

explain it

Replaces "this" with "it", suitable when referring to something previously mentioned or understood in context.

clarify this

Offers a more formal synonym for "explain", implying a need for greater precision.

elaborate on this

Suggests providing more details or expanding upon a topic already introduced.

give an explanation of this

Provides a more verbose and formal alternative, emphasizing the act of giving an explanation.

shed light on this

Introduces a metaphorical expression for explaining, implying the removal of confusion.

provide details about this

Focuses on the act of supplying specific information concerning a topic.

offer insight into this

Emphasizes the provision of a deeper understanding or perspective.

break this down

Uses an informal expression for simplifying a complex topic.

walk me through this

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

FAQs

How can I properly use "explain this" in a sentence?

Use "explain this" when you want someone to clarify something specific. For example, "Can you "explain this" concept to me?"

What's a more formal way to ask someone to explain something?

Instead of asking to "explain this", you could ask them to "clarify this" or to "elaborate on this", depending on the context and the level of detail you need.

Is it ever correct to say "explain about something"?

It's generally better to use "explain something" directly. The preposition "about" is often unnecessary and can make the phrasing less clear. For example, prefer "explain the process" over "explain about the process".

What's the difference between "explain this" and "tell me about this"?

"Explain this" implies you want a clarification or detailed understanding of something specific. "Tell me about this" is a broader request, asking for a general description or overview.