explain to

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to share information, usually in order to help someone understand something. Example: I will explain the process to you step by step.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Then explain to yours.

Independent

"Please explain to me".

The New York Times - Sports

Please explain to him.

The New Yorker

Just explain to me.

The New York Times

Can anyone explain to me what happened?

The New Yorker

How will they explain to Putin?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Oro," Juan explained to Jorge.

The New York Times

He some explaining to do.

The New York Times

"We write," he explains, "to bear witness".

The New York Times

"But no one explains to them why".

The New York Times - Books

Villa have some explaining to do, however.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain to", ensure your explanation is tailored to the audience's existing knowledge level for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using jargon or overly technical terms when you "explain to" someone unfamiliar with the subject matter. Simplify your language to ensure they understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of providing clarification or reasons to someone. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English, and examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain to" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of providing clarification or reasons to someone. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. The frequency of the expression is high, making it a versatile tool for clear communication. When using "explain to", it's important to tailor the explanation to your audience's level of understanding and avoid overly complex language. Related phrases like "clarify for" and "elucidate to" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify for

Focuses on making something clearer for someone.

elucidate to

Emphasizes detailed explanation, making something more understandable.

demystify for

Highlights removing the mystery or confusion surrounding a topic.

spell out for

Indicates providing very clear and direct instructions, often in simple terms.

break down for

Suggests simplifying complex information into smaller, manageable parts.

walk through with

Implies guiding someone step by step through a process.

give insight to

Highlights providing a deeper understanding or perspective.

shed light on for

Focuses on revealing information or clarifying a confusing topic.

outline for

Suggests presenting a structured overview or plan.

present to

Implies sharing information or details with someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain to" to indicate that you are providing information to someone to help them understand something. For example, "Can you "explain to" me how this works?"

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

"Explain to" focuses on making something understandable, while "describe to" focuses on providing a detailed account or image of something. You "explain to" someone the reasons why, and "describe to" someone the characteristics of.

What can I say instead of "explain to"?

You can use alternatives like "clarify for", "elucidate to", or "spell out for" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "to" after "explain"?

While you can directly "explain" something (e.g., "I explained the situation"), using "explain to" specifies the recipient of the explanation (e.g., "I explained it to her").