explain the background

USAGE SUMMARY

'explain the background' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to provide additional information about a subject or situation. For example, "Before I discuss the new policy, I would like to explain the background of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Patrick Wintour and Nicholas Watt explain the background in today's Guardian story.

The Guardian

All parties need to explain the background and evidence for their policies.

The Economist

I asked the managing editor Dean Baquet to explain the background.

The New York Times

If people are unfamiliar with the case, briefly explain the background to them before asking them to reflect on these questions.

The New York Times

It means you don't have to explain the background, you can just go straight in and the children will go with you.

The Guardian

"But having the teacher explain the background in class and then going to see the play, you really can appreciate it for what it is".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Owen Bowcott explained the background earlier this week.

The Guardian

It explains the background with remarkable ease.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Labour's Lord Bach explains the background to the vote here.

The Guardian

We always put the story in context, explaining the background.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, an analyst did, and Mr. Jeffries explained the background.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the background", ensure you provide sufficient detail to give the audience a clear understanding of the issue. Avoid assuming prior knowledge.

Common error

A common mistake is to "explain the background" without offering enough context. Ensure you cover the essential historical, social, and political elements that are needed for complete comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the background" functions as a verb phrase, where 'explain' is the verb and 'the background' is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain the background" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase aimed at providing necessary context for understanding a subject. As supported by Ludwig AI, it appears across various domains, including news, science, and academia, indicating its broad applicability. When using the phrase, ensure you provide sufficient details and context to avoid assuming prior knowledge from your audience. Alternatives such as "describe the background" or "clarify the background" may be more appropriate depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describe the background

Focuses more on a detailed account of the background, potentially more descriptive than explanatory.

clarify the background

Emphasizes removing ambiguity from the existing background information.

explain the origin

Concentrates specifically on where something began, a subset of the broader background.

explain the context

Highlights the surrounding circumstances that give meaning to an event or situation.

elucidate the background

A more formal way of saying "explain", suggesting a thorough and illuminating explanation.

provide context

Offers the necessary information to understand a situation.

outline the background

Gives a general overview of the background, lacking deep detail.

details the background

Implicates delving into specifics and providing comprehensive details related to the background.

illuminating the backstory

Uncovers a narrative perspective, often used in fictional or historical situations.

shedding light on the history

Focuses on the events that led up to a situation, providing historical context.

FAQs

How can I use "explain the background" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the background" when introducing a topic that requires context, such as, "Before we discuss the new policy, let me "explain the background" of the issue."

What can I say instead of "explain the background"?

You can use alternatives like "describe the background", "clarify the background", or "provide context" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "explain the background" or "provide the background"?

Both "explain the background" and "provide the background" are correct. "Explain the background" implies a more detailed and interpretative approach, while "provide the background" suggests simply giving the necessary information.

What's the difference between "explain the background" and "explain the origin"?

"Explain the background" gives a broad overview of the circumstances, whereas "explain the origin" specifically focuses on the beginnings or source of something.