explain him that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain him that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "explain to him that." Example: "Please explain to him that the meeting has been rescheduled."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Also, explain him that it is okay to share his fear and to ask for help.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I explained to him, that's just your body," said Sergeant Eisch, who was having his own recurring nightmares.

The New York Times

"I couldn't finish the job," he said, explaining that to him that was failure.

The New York Times

"I explain to him that the Chinese culture is extremely modest," she says.

The New York Times

Why don't the police simply explain to him that you aren't breaking any laws?

The New York Times

David Weprin had to explain to him that the rabbi was actually referring to the biblical figure.

The New York Times

I had to explain to him that that is another, different story.

The Guardian

"I tried to explain to him that he does have great stuff," Gershberg said.

The New York Times - Sports

I will explain to him that it's also a political question.

The New York Times - Sports

In vain does his mother explain to him that he is a night bird.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I had to explain to him that he needed electricity to make this television work," he chuckled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarifying something, consider using stronger alternatives like "inform" or "clarify" to ensure your message is clear.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "to" when using "explain" with a personal pronoun. Saying "explain him that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "explain to him that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain him that" functions as an attempt to convey information or provide clarification. However, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct form is "explain to him that".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain him that" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests the correct phrasing is "explain to him that". While the intent is to convey information, its flawed structure makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. It's rarely used, and most authoritative sources would recommend against it. Alternatives like "tell him that" or "inform him that" are preferable for clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain to him that

Adds the preposition "to" for correct grammatical structure.

tell him that

Uses a more direct verb for conveying information.

inform him that

Emphasizes a formal way of conveying information.

clarify to him that

Focuses on making something clear or understandable.

convey to him that

Highlights the act of transmitting a message.

make him understand that

Stresses the importance of comprehension.

point out to him that

Suggests bringing attention to a specific detail.

let him know that

A more casual way of providing information.

demonstrate to him that

Focuses on showing or proving something.

elucidate to him that

Implies a detailed explanation to remove confusion.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "explain" when talking to someone?

The correct structure is "explain to someone that...", not "explain someone that...". For example, use "explain to him that the meeting is postponed" instead of "explain him that the meeting is postponed".

What can I say instead of "explain him that"?

Use the grammatically correct phrase "explain to him that". Other options include "tell him that" or "inform him that".

Is "explain him that" grammatically correct?

No, "explain him that" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "explain to him that". The preposition 'to' is required after 'explain' when followed by a person.

What's the difference between "explain him that" and "explain to him that"?

"Explain him that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to phrase it is "explain to him that". The "to" is essential for correct grammar.