explain in detail

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain in detail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to explain something thoroughly, with all the necessary details. For example, "Please explain in detail why you think the proposal should be accepted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Police would not explain in detail what they meant by that.

The Guardian

"They explain in detail what all the words mean," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Melo would not explain in detail how Amyris planned to sell its products.

The New York Times

"He had the time to explain in detail if there was a problem.

The New York Times

Second, opponents of EU membership should explain in detail what an alternative would look like.

The Guardian

The women caught the repetition and asked the interpreter to explain in detail what "achievable" meant.

The New York Times - Magazine

That is why these folks should explain, in detail, what they are saying.

University of California, Berkeley

Please explain in detail your often-repeated assertion that everyone should apply for financial aid.

The New York Times

I do not need to explain in detail the worldwide catastrophic ramifications of this message.

The New York Times

Last, we do not want to be asked to explain in detail the Electoral College.

The New York Times

In this paper we first explain in detail the IEC 61508 approach for handling uncertainty.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the scope of the explanation. For instance, "Explain in detail the reasons behind the budget cuts" is more effective than simply saying "Explain in detail".

Common error

Avoid using "explain in detail" when the topic is already well-understood by your audience. This can come across as condescending or unnecessary. Instead, consider stating the information directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain in detail" functions as a request for a thorough explanation. It serves to prompt someone to provide a comprehensive and exhaustive description of a particular subject. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain in detail" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for requesting a thorough explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile across different contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While it is best practice to use it when a comprehensive understanding is necessary, overusing it for simple concepts can be redundant. Consider alternatives like "elaborate" or "go into depth" for variety. Remember to always use "detail" in the singular form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide a detailed account

This suggests giving a comprehensive description of something.

offer a comprehensive explanation

Similar to "provide a detailed account", but emphasizes the explanation aspect.

go into depth

This phrase emphasizes the thoroughness of the explanation.

expound on

This is a more formal way of saying "explain in detail".

elaborate

This is a shorter, more direct synonym for "explain in detail".

spell out

This suggests making something very clear and easy to understand.

clarify

This focuses on making something less confusing and more understandable.

flesh out

This implies adding more information to make something complete.

present a full picture

This implies giving all the relevant information.

break down

This suggests dividing something into smaller, easier-to-understand parts.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain in detail" to request a thorough explanation. For instance, "Could you "explain in detail" how the new policy affects our team?"

What are some alternatives to "explain in detail"?

Alternatives include "elaborate", "go into depth", or "provide a detailed account" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "explain in detail"?

It's appropriate when you need a comprehensive understanding of a complex topic or process. It's also useful when clarifying potentially confusing information.

Is "explain in details" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is ""explain in detail"". The word "detail" should be singular.