explain it further

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain it further" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone else to provide more information or detail on a topic. For example, "I don't understand the concept of photosynthesis. Could you explain it further?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They can't explain it further".

The New York Times

Trying to explain it further - to himself, as much as to his correspondent Gerald Bullett - he wrote from Toulon in 1933: "Why should a London public like my work?

The Guardian - Books

I spoke to Bob Woletz, the editor of society news, who told me that he edited the article carefully because of the mention of the child's death, asking the writer to expand on that aspect and to explain it further.

The New York Times

We hand out brochures and election forms and if more than 10 people respond to any given plan only then do we ask the H.M.O. to send over a representative to explain it further". Out of the Colin work force of 300, only six Colin employees have picked a health maintenance organization, the Kaiser plan.

The New York Times

We will explain it further in a later section.

Data Science and Engineering

…If we don't get it, he can explain it further (18).

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The complexities of the process eluded me, and Fischer didn't feel like explaining it further.

The New Yorker

Emily Zimmern, president and chief executive of the Levine Museum of the New South, which provides an interactive history of the South since the Civil War, explained it further.

The New York Times

Here's the link at the Griffin site that explains it further: "If your iPhone is currently on the 850 MHz band, the FQ value will be in the 100-200 range.

TechCrunch

My mom explained it further: "On the other hand, the rabbit is a good boy.

Vice

Castiglione explains it further: And what say you to the game at chestes?

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "explain it further", be specific about what part you don't understand to guide their explanation.

Common error

While "explain it further" is acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in a short span. Vary your requests for clarification by using alternatives such as "elaborate on that" or "could you clarify that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain it further" functions as a request for additional information or clarification. It is commonly used to seek a more detailed or comprehensive explanation of a previously mentioned topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain it further" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable request for more detailed information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While its frequency is categorized as uncommon, the phrase finds its place across a range of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic settings. When employing this phrase, being specific about the desired clarification can help the speaker to address the knowledge gaps more effectively. Despite its overall utility, it is advisable to be mindful of overuse and explore alternatives like "elaborate on that" or "could you clarify that" to maintain stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on that

Focuses on adding more details to a specific point.

could you clarify that

Asks for a clearer, more understandable explanation.

provide more detail

General request for additional information.

expound upon that

Suggests a more formal and extensive explanation.

go into more depth

Implies a need for a deeper and more thorough explanation.

shed more light on that

Asks for clarification that makes something easier to understand.

offer a fuller explanation

Seeks a more complete and comprehensive explanation.

give a more detailed account

Requests a more precise and thorough description.

walk me through it

Asks for a step-by-step explanation or demonstration.

spell it out for me

Indicates a need for a very clear and simple explanation, possibly implying some difficulty in understanding.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "explain it further"?

You can politely ask by saying, "Could you "clarify that" a bit more?" or "Would you mind "elaborating on that" point?"

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

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "Could you "provide more detail" regarding...?" or "Would you be willing to "expound upon that"?"

Is it ever inappropriate to ask someone to "explain it further"?

It might be inappropriate if you've already asked multiple times and the person has made a clear effort to explain. Also, avoid using it in situations where it's your responsibility to understand something (e.g., a direct instruction from a superior).

What's the difference between "explain it further" and "walk me through it"?

"Explain it further" is a general request for more clarification. "Walk me through it" implies you want a step-by-step explanation of a process.