explain the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain the situation" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to explain a certain problem or issue. For example, "Can you please explain the situation surrounding the current budget crisis?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We just explain the situation".

Independent

Some history may help explain the situation.

The New Yorker

I tried to explain the situation to a bank manager.

The Guardian - Travel

MCI's Web site, MCI.com, tried to explain the situation.

The New York Times

"We have come to explain the situation," he said.

The New York Times

Kumar reached his mother and tried to explain the situation.

The New Yorker

After the interview, he emails to explain the situation.

The Guardian - Sport

Werritty was left to explain the situation to local officials.

The Guardian

The "Notes" field got a good workout to explain the situation.

Harvard University

Yet the Wies did not explain the situation to the public.

The New York Times - Sports

Labor's immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, called on Dutton to explain the situation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the situation", be mindful of your audience and tailor your explanation to their level of understanding. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms unless your audience is familiar with them.

Common error

Avoid making the explanation more complex than necessary. Stick to the key facts and present them in a clear, logical order. Rambling or including irrelevant details can confuse your audience and detract from your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the situation" functions primarily as an imperative, often used to request or instruct someone to provide details or clarification about a particular set of circumstances. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms the common usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

HuffPost

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain the situation" is a very common and grammatically sound expression used to request or instruct someone to clarify a particular circumstance. Ludwig AI confirms its regular usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and HuffPost sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various communication settings. When using "explain the situation", ensure your explanation is tailored to your audience's understanding and avoid unnecessary jargon. Related phrases include "clarify the context" and "describe the circumstances", offering similar ways to seek clarity. Remember to stick to key facts and avoid overcomplicating the explanation to maintain clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide an explanation

A more general way to ask for clarification.

clarify the context

Focuses on making the surrounding circumstances clearer.

describe the circumstances

Emphasizes detailing the events or conditions.

outline the issue

Highlights the main points of a problem or matter.

detail the matter

Stresses providing comprehensive information.

shed light on the matter

Suggests revealing information that was previously unclear.

give an account of what happened

Focuses on recounting events in a narrative form.

break down the problem

Implies simplifying a complex issue.

walk me through what happened

Invites a step-by-step explanation of events.

elucidate the details

Stresses making the finer points understandable.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain the situation" to request clarification or details about a particular set of circumstances. For example, "Could you please "explain the situation" regarding the budget shortfall?"

What is a more formal way to say "explain the situation"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "provide an explanation of the circumstances" or "elucidate the matter". These alternatives offer a more professional tone while still conveying the need for clarification.

Which is correct: "explain the situation" or "explains the situation"?

"Explain the situation" is correct when used as an imperative, a request, or as part of a more complex sentence where "explain" is the appropriate verb form based on the subject. "Explains the situation" would be used when the subject is third-person singular (e.g., "He "explains the situation" clearly.").

What's the difference between "explain the situation" and "describe the situation"?

While similar, "explain the situation" implies providing reasons, causes, or justifications to clarify understanding. "Describe the situation", on the other hand, focuses on giving a detailed account of the events or conditions without necessarily delving into the underlying reasons.