explain the concept of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain the concept of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to clarify or describe a specific idea or principle in detail. Example: "In your essay, please explain the concept of gravity and its effects on objects in motion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blond Stevie tried to explain the concept of rhyming, but Big Joe did not understand.

The New Yorker

Possibly somebody needs to sit somebody down and explain the concept of parody?

The Guardian

He sat down with her to explain the concept of cinéma vérité.

The New York Times - Arts

MARCH 23 -- The jury again asks the judge to explain the concept of criminal intent.

The New York Times

Meloy also takes great pains to explain the concept of audience participation.

The Guardian - Music

The mayor went on to explain the concept of a slide rule.

The New York Times

But in any case, "Extreme Animals" leaves parents to explain the concept of evolution on their own.

The New York Times - Books

They won't need us to explain the concept of "polyamory," or to read faraway wall menus to them.

The New Yorker

There is no way to explain the concept of George Hamilton to a 25-year-old, much less the tan.

The New York Times - Food

In this paper, we will explain the concept of amplification and describe its role in psychosomatic illness.

Harvard University

Mr. Wex, trying to explain the concept of a colonoscopy in Yiddish, struggled for technical terms and fell back on "fat kishka" for colon.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, pair "explain the concept of" with citations to establish credibility and provide a framework for further exploration.

Common error

Avoid using jargon or overly technical language when you "explain the concept of" something, especially to a general audience. Clarity is key; ensure your explanation is accessible and easy to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the concept of" serves as an infinitive phrase that introduces a detailed explanation or clarification of a specific idea or principle. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its application across diverse subjects, from scientific theories to abstract notions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain the concept of" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce a clarification or detailed explanation of a specific idea. While highly versatile, clarity and avoidance of jargon are critical for effective communication. Alternatives such as "clarify the notion of" or "define the idea of" can be used to tailor the phrasing to the specific context. This phrase, while common, should be used thoughtfully to ensure clear and accessible communication for the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clarify the notion of

Replaces 'explain' with 'clarify' and 'concept' with 'notion', slightly altering the tone.

Define the idea of

Substitutes 'explain' with 'define' and 'concept' with 'idea', focusing on providing a specific definition.

Elucidate the meaning of

Replaces 'explain' with 'elucidate', which is more formal, and replaces 'concept' with 'meaning'.

Describe the principle of

Changes 'explain' to 'describe' and 'concept' to 'principle', suitable when referring to a guiding rule or fundamental truth.

Illustrate the workings of

Replaces 'explain' with 'illustrate', which focuses on providing examples to clarify understanding, and modifies 'concept' to 'workings'.

Demystify the subject of

Emphasizes making something less obscure or complicated; replaces 'explain' with 'demystify' and adjusts the phrasing around 'concept'.

Expound on the theory of

Replaces 'explain' with 'expound', suggesting a more detailed and elaborate explanation, and 'concept' with 'theory'.

Walk through the details of

Shifts the explanation to a step-by-step approach; 'explain' becomes 'walk through' and 'concept' morphs into 'details'.

Break down the components of

Focuses on dissecting the concept into smaller, understandable parts; 'explain' is replaced by 'break down', and 'concept' becomes 'components'.

Shed light on the nature of

Uses a more metaphorical approach to explanation; replaces 'explain' with 'shed light on' and reframes 'concept' as 'nature'.

FAQs

How can I use "explain the concept of" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the concept of" to introduce a detailed clarification of an idea. For example, "Let me explain the concept of cognitive dissonance" or "The professor will explain the concept of quantum entanglement".

What are some alternatives to "explain the concept of"?

Alternatives include "clarify the notion of", "define the idea of", or "elucidate the meaning of", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it better to "explain the concept of" or "describe the concept of"?

The choice between "explain the concept of" and "describe the concept of" depends on your purpose. "Explain" implies providing reasons or mechanisms, while "describe" focuses on detailing the characteristics or features. Choose "describe the principle of" if you are detailing characteristics.

When is it appropriate to use "explain the concept of" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "explain the concept of" when you need to thoroughly clarify an idea, theory, or principle, particularly in academic, technical, or educational contexts. This phrase is suitable for situations where understanding requires more than just a simple description.