explain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain from" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when to use it, as it lacks context and does not form a complete thought. Example: "Please explain from the beginning" would be a more appropriate usage.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Majoritarians struggle to explain from where precisely additional support is going to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

They take their inspiration, they explain, from the apocryphal Gospel of Mary.

The Guardian - Arts

He did not distinguish the duty to explain from the desire to persuade.

The New Yorker

As the site's editors explain, "from a sociological viewpoint, it is clearly a religion".

The Economist

"There is one piece of evidence [for cold fusion] that is hard to explain from our current understanding," admits Hofer.

The Guardian

Here is a clean slate: his chance to define himself, to explain from scratch who he is and what he does.

The Guardian - Music

This led to the Labor opposition in 2013 calling for a "please explain" from Kempton, but he denied any wrongdoing and the matter went no further.

The Guardian

Judges can articulate and explain from the horse's mouth how the judicial role works and what they see as key contemporary issues.

The Guardian

He uses a variation of the rocks, pebbles and sand in a jar parable to explain from a nutritionists' point of view.

The Guardian - Sport

He has chosen a diverse range of things to explain: from helicopters to a human cell, from the table of elements to the machines in a hospital room.

The Guardian - Books

A lot of people might not really get it, and you have to explain from the outset that this is something that didn't actually happen.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, consider replacing "explain from" with more specific prepositions like "based on", "in terms of", or "according to" to better convey the source or method of explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "explain from" when a more precise preposition like "based on", "in terms of", or "according to" would improve clarity and grammatical accuracy. Using the wrong preposition can lead to ambiguity and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain from" functions as a verb phrase, where "explain" is the verb and "from" is a preposition indicating a perspective or source. However, its grammatical correctness is often disputed, as noted by Ludwig AI. It is often used to describe clarifying something based on a specific viewpoint or origin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain from" is frequently encountered, particularly in news and scientific contexts. However, Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical status is often questionable. While "explain from" aims to convey clarification from a specific viewpoint, it often lacks the precision needed in formal writing. More precise prepositions like "based on", "in terms of", or "according to" often enhance clarity and accuracy. When writing, consider these alternatives to strengthen your explanations and avoid potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain based on

Focuses on the foundation or evidence used to construct the explanation.

explain in terms of

Highlights the framework or conceptual language used for clarification.

explain according to

Emphasizes the source or authority providing the explanation.

clarify from

Implies removing ambiguity from a particular viewpoint or source.

elucidate from

Suggests bringing light or understanding from a specific perspective or data.

interpret from

Highlights the act of deriving meaning or significance from something to explain.

account for using

Indicates providing a reason or justification with certain resources.

describe drawing on

Refers to providing a description of something using sources or inspirations.

detail stemming from

Suggests providing details that originate or derive from something.

expound upon building from

Refers to expanding or elaborating on a subject, starting from a base.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "explain from" in a sentence?

While "explain from" appears in various contexts, it is often grammatically imprecise. Consider using alternatives like "explain based on", "explain in terms of", or "explain according to" for better clarity.

What can I say instead of "explain from"?

You can use alternatives like "explain based on", "explain in terms of", or "explain according to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "explain from" or "explain based on"?

"Explain based on" is generally more grammatically sound than "explain from", as it clearly indicates that the explanation is founded on certain information or principles.

What's the difference between "explain from" and "explain in terms of"?

"Explain from" is vague and often grammatically incorrect. "Explain in terms of" specifies the framework or context used for the explanation, providing greater precision.