explain correctly

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain correctly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to explain something accurately or to state that an explanation needs to be precise and without error. Example: "Please explain the difference between the two policies correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Dr. Stern, an expert on the magnetosphere, the huge area of charged particles trapped by the earth's magnetic field that envelop the planet, said that Dr. Gilbert was the first to explain correctly why a compass always points north and the first to propose that the earth itself was a giant magnet.

The New York Times - Science

Different proposals of elemental models to get analytical expressions of energy of Si-nC are found in the literature, which pretend to explain correctly the energy spectrum of this type of nanostructures.

Nanoscale Research Letters

One reason for not asking about the precise location of POST may be that it is difficult to explain correctly.

BMC Anesthesiology

Alnus, explain correctly most of the topology of the three fungal genera, but the presence in derived branches of species associated with Alnus alnobetula - not explained by any co-evolution scheme - suggests another factor of host-dependent speciation.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As Hebrew speech passed out of daily use (being superseded by Aramaic, which became the vernacular of the Jews) and the knowledge of biblical Hebrew steadily declined, it became necessary to introduce some form of vocalic distinction so that the Bible could be read and explained correctly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The student explains correctly the upcoming task to the other student, but he chooses to take a passive approach to the task by saying that he does not know how to do.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

He explained, correctly, that the theory of evolution is as fundamental to the life sciences as the theory of plate tectonics is to the earth sciences.

Huffington Post

However, the Institute explains correctly in the same article why Obama and Papandreou need each other's support and for what reasons they are sharing common political priorities on deterring the Greek economy's default.

Huffington Post

A chair standing on a floor is not explained correctly as the mechanism that displays a capacity to think that it is located where it should be.

Biology and Philosophy

Provided you explain it correctly, an employer is more likely to see a person with the right attitude and get-up-and-go needed in the new company, along with someone who has had experience of hardship and moved through it successfully.

WikiHow

I'm not sure if I'm explaining it correctly but it makes sense to me.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explain correctly" when emphasizing the need for an explanation to be accurate and free from errors. It's particularly useful in technical, scientific, or legal contexts where precision is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "explain correctly" when you simply mean the explanation was easy to understand. "Explain well" focuses on clarity, while "explain correctly" focuses on accuracy. For example, instead of saying "The teacher explained the concept correctly, so everyone understood", consider "The teacher explained the concept well, so everyone understood."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain correctly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "explain". It specifies the manner in which something should be explained, emphasizing the need for accuracy and precision, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain correctly" is used to emphasize the need for accuracy and precision in explanations. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources, highlighting its importance in conveying information accurately. Related phrases include "explain accurately", "explain precisely", and "interpret correctly". While "explain correctly" focuses on the overall correctness, it should not be confused with "explain well", which emphasizes clarity. Use "explain correctly" when accuracy is paramount to avoid misunderstandings and ensure a clear understanding of the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain accurately

Focuses on the precision and factual correctness of the explanation.

explain precisely

Emphasizes the detailed and exact nature of the explanation.

explain effectively

Highlights the success of the explanation in conveying the intended meaning.

explain clearly

Stresses the clarity and understandability of the explanation.

interpret correctly

Focuses on providing the right interpretation or understanding.

describe accurately

Emphasizes correctness in the description rather than the explanation.

define correctly

Highlights the accuracy of the definition provided.

elucidate properly

Focuses on making something clear and understandable in an appropriate manner.

detail accurately

Focuses on providing precise details.

portray accurately

Emphasizes truthful representation through explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "explain correctly" in a sentence?

You can use "explain correctly" to emphasize the accuracy of an explanation. For example, "The scientist needed to "explain correctly" the experiment's results to avoid misleading conclusions."

What's the difference between "explain correctly" and "explain accurately"?

While both phrases emphasize precision, "explain correctly" focuses on the overall correctness of the explanation, whereas "explain accurately" emphasizes the factual accuracy of the details within the explanation. They are often interchangeable, but "explain accurately" might be preferred when discussing specific data points.

What are some alternatives to "explain correctly"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "explain precisely", "explain effectively", or "interpret correctly" to convey the need for an accurate and proper explanation.

In what situations is it most important to use "explain correctly"?

It is most important to use "explain correctly" in situations where accuracy is crucial, such as in scientific reports, legal documents, or technical manuals. In these contexts, even a small error in explanation can have significant consequences.