explain at least

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain at least" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to provide a minimum level of detail or information about a topic. Example: "In your report, please explain at least the main factors that contributed to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was hoping Vecchio could explain at least some of the messages to me.

The New Yorker

This marriage crisis is often cited to explain, at least partially, the rampant sexual harassment in Egypt.

The New Yorker

The decision to do so is, in effect, a decision not to explain, at least not to a judge.

The New Yorker

But it could explain at least some of the bloodbaths as ethnic cleansing in the worst traditions of 1990s Yugoslavia.

The New York Times

Now, there are statistical wrinkles here that may help to explain at least part of these discrepancies.

The New York Times

The discomfort prediction models explain at least two-thirds of the variations.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

This may explain, at least in part, the persistence of differing herb layer community type dominance.

Applied Soil Ecology

These observations may explain, at least in part, contradictory results found in the literature.

Experimental Parasitology

This could explain, at least partially, the irradiation resistance to amorphisation of UO2.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

This method can well explain at least the following three basic questions.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Although the results are unsurprisingly heterogeneous, we can nevertheless explain at least part of this heterogeneity.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain at least", be specific about what aspects need clarification to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying, "Explain at least the basics", consider "Explain at least the core concepts and formulas."

Common error

Avoid using "explain at least" as a placeholder without defining the scope. This can lead to incomplete or inadequate explanations. Always specify the minimum level of detail expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain at least" functions as a directive, typically used to request or instruct someone to provide a minimum level of explanation or clarification on a particular subject. According to Ludwig, it's deemed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain at least" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that sets a minimum requirement for explanation detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to ensure certain key aspects of a topic are covered. It finds common application in scientific, news, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the scope to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "offer a basic explanation" or "clarify partially" can provide nuanced substitutes depending on your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a basic explanation

This alternative directly states that the explanation should be basic, conveying the idea of a minimum level of detail.

provide a limited explanation

Similar to 'offer a basic explanation', this phrase explicitly mentions the limitation in the explanation's scope.

elucidate to some extent

This alternative replaces "explain" with "elucidate" which mean the same but more formal, and "at least" with "to some extent", indicating a partial explanation.

cover the key points

This option focuses on explaining the most important aspects, implying a selective approach to the explanation.

clarify partially

This option focuses on providing a partial clarification rather than a complete explanation, keeping the core idea of minimum required understanding.

address the main issues

This is similar to 'cover the key points' but emphasize the problems or questions that need to be addressed in an explanation.

give a brief account of

This option indicates a short and concise explanation, implying that not all details will be covered.

shed some light on

This idiomatic phrase suggests providing some understanding of a topic, without necessarily offering a full explanation.

touch upon the basics

This suggests addressing the fundamental aspects of a subject, without delving into more complex areas.

sketch out the details

This option focuses on providing a general outline or overview of an explanation.

FAQs

What does "explain at least" mean?

The phrase "explain at least" means to provide a minimum level of detail or clarification on a particular topic. It sets a lower bound for the amount of information that needs to be conveyed.

How can I use "explain at least" in a sentence?

You can use "explain at least" to specify the minimum requirements for an explanation. For example, "Please explain at least the main steps involved in the process".

What are some alternatives to "explain at least"?

Alternatives include "clarify partially", "offer a basic explanation", or "cover the key points". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "explain at the least" instead of "explain at least"?

While understandable, "explain at the least" is not the standard phrasing. "Explain at least" is the more common and grammatically accepted form.