explain on

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain on" is not a correct part of a sentence in written English.
The phrase you are looking for is "explain" or "go on to explain". For example: "The author goes on to explain the significance of the data."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We want the same secure jobs our elders have," I heard one explain on TV.

The Guardian

How do you explain, on the one hand the Palestinization of the population and on the other hand their Israelization?

Forbes

It is difficult to explain on multi-dimensional space, so we use a one dimension model for explaination.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Push yourself and your leaders to get to one overarching strategy – simple enough to explain on a cocktail napkin.

Forbes

There is no strange behavior to explain on Obama's part.

The New Yorker

Those opposite have a little to explain on this question.

The Guardian

"The music industry is in crisis," they explain on their website.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Algorithms are explained on the Euclidean space.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

This FAQ explains on how to rotate shapes in ds9.

Harvard University

The techniques are explained on many Web sites.

The New York Times - Health

Other specialist qualifications are explained on the IFAP website.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the verb "explain" directly followed by the object of explanation, or use a preposition like "about" or "regarding" to introduce the topic. For example, "Explain the process" or "Explain about the causes".

Common error

Avoid using "on" directly after "explain". It's grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Instead, opt for a direct object or a more appropriate preposition like "about" or "how".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain on" is grammatically incorrect. It's typically used to introduce a clarification or detailed account, but its structure violates standard English grammar. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in written English. As Ludwig AI confirms, more appropriate alternatives include using "explain" directly followed by the object of explanation, or using prepositions like "about" or "regarding". While the phrase may occasionally appear in informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness. Correct alternatives are "explain", "elaborate on", and "clarify".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain

This is the base verb without the preposition, offering a direct form of explanation.

elaborate on

This suggests a more detailed explanation.

expound on

Implies a thorough and detailed explanation, often in a formal setting.

clarify

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand.

shed light on

Offers a metaphorical explanation, revealing something previously unclear.

provide details on

Focuses on offering specific information about a topic.

give an explanation of

Offers a formal and structured explanation.

go into detail about

Suggests a comprehensive and thorough explanation.

offer insight into

Provides a deeper understanding or perspective.

spell out

To explain something simply and clearly.

FAQs

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

Use "explain" followed by the direct object or with prepositions like "about", "how", or "why". For example, "Explain the concept" or "Explain how it works" are correct. Avoid using "explain on".

What are some common alternatives to "explain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "elaborate on", "clarify", or "describe".

Is it grammatically correct to say "explain on"?

No, "explain on" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage involves using "explain" followed by a direct object or a different preposition.

What is the difference between "explain" and ""elaborate on""?

"Explain" generally means to make something clear or understandable. "Elaborate on" means to provide more detail or expand on a particular point.