explain this to us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain this to us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting clarification or further information on a topic from someone. Example: "During the meeting, we had several questions about the new policy, so we asked the manager to explain this to us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even those whose job it was to explain this to us were mostly men: Robert Peston, Paul Mason, Evan Davis (the BBC's economics editor, Stephanie Flanders, is on maternity leave).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Fountain Square in central Baku, the capital, chanting "Stop killing our soldiers," and "Explain this to us, supreme commander," a reference to President Ilham Aliyev.

The New York Times

He will explain this to us, I guess.

Huffington Post

Oh and Iggy, explain this to us: (1 40 time mark).

Huffington Post

While no one could explain this to us, I figure that Jesus and fish were associated through the miracles of the fish.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He explained this to us with wide sweeps of the flashlight.

The New Yorker

Much of behavioral economics is explaining this to us, also game theory like the ultimatum game and the prisoner's dilemma.

Forbes

The American people don't need us to explain this to them.

The New York Times

Raymond and I logged on to the website, which tried to explain all this to us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps Mr. Keynes will take his mind off world finances for an hour sometime and carefully explain all this to us.

The New Yorker

Please to begin by explaining this matter to us, and let us no longer fancy that we understand you, when we entirely misunderstand you". There will be no impropriety in our demanding an answer to this question, either of the dualists or of the pluralists?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context makes it clear what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the person providing the explanation.

Common error

While acceptable, "explain this to us" can sometimes sound less professional in very formal contexts. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "elucidate" or "clarify" to maintain a higher degree of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain this to us" functions as a request or directive, prompting someone to provide clarification or a detailed account. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, indicating its proper integration into the language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain this to us" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable request for clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While it's versatile enough for various contexts, more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings. Common usage patterns indicate its prevalence in news media, scientific discussions, and formal business communications. For increased formality, consider using phrases like "clarify this for us" or "elucidate this to us". Overall, "explain this to us" serves as a direct and effective way to seek understanding and resolve confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clarify this for us

Directly asks for clarification; slightly more formal.

Can you elaborate on this for us?

Asks for more detail, making it more specific.

Elucidate this to us

More formal and emphasizes making something clear and understandable.

Give us an explanation of this

More verbose and slightly more formal.

Break this down for us

Suggests simplifying a complex topic.

Help us understand this

Emphasizes the speaker's need for comprehension.

Walk us through this

Implies a step-by-step explanation.

Spell this out for us

Implies needing a very basic or explicit explanation.

Shed some light on this for us

Figurative; suggests revealing information.

Tell us more about this

General request for more information; less focused on clarification.

FAQs

How can I use "explain this to us" in a sentence?

You can use "explain this to us" when requesting clarification or further information. For example, "The team asked the consultant to explain this to us after the initial presentation".

What are some alternatives to "explain this to us"?

You can use alternatives like "clarify this for us", "elucidate this to us", or "break this down for us" depending on the context.

Is "explain this to us" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "explain this to us" may sound less professional in very formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "Could you please clarify this matter for us?".

What's the difference between "explain this to us" and "explain this for us"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "explain this to us" is generally used when addressing a group or seeking a collective understanding, whereas "explain this for us" can be used in both individual and group contexts.