explain how

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain how" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to provide an explanation about something. For example: Can you explain how to solve this problem?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She will explain how.

The Guardian

Below I explain how.

The Guardian

I can't explain how.

The New York Times

He didn't explain how.

The Guardian

But he didn't explain how.

The New Yorker

Let me explain how that came about.

The New York Times

Explain how water fits in.

The Washington Post

But he did explain how he changed.

The Guardian

Can you explain how it works?

The New York Times

"We want to explain how things work".

Independent

Please explain how this is fair.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explain how" when you need someone to clarify a process, mechanism, or the way something works. Be specific about what you need explained to get a clear and useful answer.

Common error

Avoid using "explain how" for extremely general topics. Instead, break down your question into smaller, more manageable parts to get focused and helpful explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain how" functions as an interrogative phrase used to solicit a detailed account of a process, method, or mechanism. It prompts someone to provide a step-by-step description or clarify the workings of something, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain how" is a grammatically correct and frequently used interrogative phrase that prompts for a detailed explanation of a process or method. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to elicit understanding and clarification across various contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki articles. While versatile, it's best used when seeking specific details on how something works. For more formal situations, alternatives like "what is the explanation for" or "can you elaborate on" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how can you explain

Inverts the word order for a slightly different emphasis.

how do you account for

Focuses on providing a reason or justification.

what is the explanation for

Uses a more formal and noun-based structure.

can you elaborate on

Asks for more detail or expansion on a topic.

walk me through

Requests a step-by-step explanation of a process.

give me the details on

Seeks specific information about a particular aspect.

shed some light on

Requests clarification or understanding of a confusing topic.

what's the logic behind

Focuses on the reasoning or rationale for something.

describe the mechanism of

More specific to technical or scientific contexts, asking about a process.

clarify the process of

Requests a clearer understanding of a sequence of actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain how" to ask for clarification on a process or method, such as, "Can you explain how this machine works?" or "Please explain how you arrived at this conclusion."

What's a more formal way to say "explain how"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "what is the explanation for" or "can you elaborate on" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "explain how," or are there simpler alternatives?

Simpler alternatives include phrases like "how does it work" or "what is the process" for less formal situations.

How does "explain how" differ from "explain why"?

"Explain how" focuses on the method or process, while "explain why" focuses on the reasons or causes. For example, "Explain how the engine works" versus "Explain why the engine failed".