explain below

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain below" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You generally use it when you are referring to an explanation that follows the sentence. For example: "I encountered some difficulties during the project - explain below."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ideas I explain below aren't novel, earth-shattering or mind-blowing.

HuffPost

The yield curve (I'll explain below) isn't scary.

The Washington Post

That's not what our research finds, as we'll explain below.

The Washington Post

This turns out to have important implications, as we explain below.

Harvard Business Review

Relying on reconciliation, however, is costly, in three ways, as I'll explain below.

The Washington Post

But the number and placement of these former military officers is unprecedented, as I'll explain below.

The Washington Post

Avis, which owns Budget, also steers clear and offered some feeble reasoning that I'll explain below.

The New York Times

As we explain below, this is a time of both change and continuity at the SEC.

Columbia University

For the reasons I explain below, I agree with the chambers judge.

Harvard University

See ante, at 7-8, n. 4. I explain below why that assertion is wrong.

Harvard University

In total, $2.2bn has been donated to Syria - although that might be a misleading headline figure, as we explain below.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explain below" to clearly signal that an explanation or clarification is coming immediately after, enhancing readability.

Common error

Avoid using "explain below" if the explanation is not directly following the statement. If the explanation is several paragraphs or sections later, use a more specific directional phrase, such as "see section 3 for details" or "as discussed later in this chapter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain below" functions as a directional marker, guiding the reader to the subsequent explanation within a text. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase for providing immediate clarification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain below" is a common and grammatically correct directional phrase used to indicate that an explanation will follow. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. The phrase functions as a clear signal to the reader, enhancing readability by providing immediate clarification. While versatile, it's best practice to ensure the explanation is indeed directly below the statement. Alternatives such as "see below" or "the explanation follows" can be used, but "explain below" is a direct and effective choice for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explanation to follow

Indicates a coming explanation, with less emphasis on location than "explain below".

See the following explanation

Directs attention to the explanation that will follow, less frequently used than "explain below".

Detailed explanation follows

Emphasizes a comprehensive explanation is coming, differing in length from "explain below".

Further details are provided below

Highlights the provision of extra information later, less focused on clarification than "explain below".

The subsequent section clarifies

More formal, indicates a section dedicated to clarification, unlike the immediate direction of "explain below".

The rationale will be discussed later

More formal and focuses specifically on the reasoning behind something, differing from the general explanation in "explain below".

The reasoning is outlined hereafter

Suggests a structured, logical presentation of reasons, which is more specific than "explain below".

A breakdown is presented later

Highlights the presentation of detailed information, lacking the direct instructional tone of "explain below".

This will be elaborated on subsequently

Formal and emphasizes the expansion of a topic, which isn't always about clarification like "explain below".

More on this to come

Informal and suggests further discussion will happen, less direct than "explain below".

FAQs

How do I use "explain below" in a sentence?

Use "explain below" at the end of a sentence to indicate that a detailed explanation or clarification will follow immediately. For example: "The reasons for this decision are complex, I "explain below"."

What are some alternatives to "explain below"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "see below", "further details follow", or "the explanation follows". Each option conveys a similar meaning but may vary slightly in formality or emphasis.

Is it correct to use "explain below" in formal writing?

Yes, "explain below" can be used in formal writing, especially in academic or technical contexts where clarity is essential. However, ensure the explanation is indeed directly below the statement. More formal alternatives could include "the rationale is outlined hereafter".

What's the difference between "explain below" and "explained above"?

"Explain below" indicates that the explanation will follow, while "explained above" refers to an explanation that has already been provided earlier in the text. They serve opposite directional purposes.