explain further

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain further" is a perfectly correct and grammatical phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "I had difficulty understanding your presentation. Could you please explain further?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Could she explain further?

The Guardian - Music

Manning did not have to explain further.

The New York Times - Sports

Nonacs kept silent, knowing better than to explain further.

The New Yorker

Justice Stephen G. Breyer pressed Mr. Rosenthal to explain further.

The New York Times

To explain further would be to ruin the surprise.

The New York Times

He did not explain further what that entailed.

Independent

To explain further, let me return to summer of 1996.

Independent

Turkey said it would explain further what happened to the UN and NATO.

The Guardian

It was a kind of catechism; he did not explain further.

The New Yorker

Two of our favourite mathematicians explain further: [video link] Which way were you taught?

The Guardian

He seemed about to explain further when his partner, Walter Becker, drily cut him off.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain further", ensure the context is clear. The audience should understand what you are referring to before you request additional explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "explain further" repeatedly in a short span. Instead, vary your requests for clarification using alternatives like "elaborate more" or "provide more details" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain further" functions as a request for clarification or additional information. It is typically used to prompt someone to provide more details or a more thorough explanation of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain further" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to request additional clarification or details. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and consider varying your requests for clarification to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "elaborate more" or "provide more details" can add nuance to your writing. The phrase effectively serves the purpose of seeking deeper understanding and promoting clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Elaborate more

Focuses on providing greater detail.

Provide more details

Emphasizes the provision of specific information.

Clarify further

Highlights making something easier to understand.

Go into more detail

Suggests a deeper exploration of the topic.

Expound upon that

A more formal way of asking for further explanation.

Give a fuller explanation

Requests a more complete or comprehensive explanation.

Detail more extensively

Implies a more thorough and detailed explanation.

Offer additional insight

Focuses on providing deeper understanding or perspective.

Say more about that

A more informal way to ask for more information.

Amplify the explanation

Suggests making the existing explanation clearer and more understandable.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain further" to politely ask someone to provide more details or clarification on a topic. For example: "I'm not sure I understand. Could you explain further?"

What's the difference between "explain further" and "elaborate on"?

"Explain further" is a direct request for more explanation. "Elaborate on" implies expanding on an existing point with more details. Both serve to elicit additional information.

Is it appropriate to use "explain further" in formal writing?

Yes, "explain further" is appropriate in formal writing when you need clarification. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "provide additional details" for a more polished tone.

What are some alternatives to "explain further"?

Some alternatives to "explain further" include "clarify", "elaborate", "provide more details", or "go into more detail" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.