explain to me

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain to me" is a perfectly correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to explain something to you in more detail or to provide more information. For example, "Can you explain to me why this is happening?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Please explain to me".

The New York Times - Sports

Just explain to me.

The New York Times

Can anyone explain to me what happened?

The New Yorker

Mom tried to explain to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Please explain to me what women are.

The New Yorker

"They didn't explain to me anything," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He explained to me what happened.

The Economist

Nothing has really been explained to me.

Independent

Denice explained to me how it worked.

The Guardian

And he explained to me: 'Look, engineer.

The Guardian

I can't smell sugar," Achatz explained to me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain to me", be specific about what you want clarified to get a focused and helpful response. For example, instead of saying "Explain to me," say "Explain to me why the stock market is fluctuating."

Common error

Avoid using "explain to me" without providing context. If you're not clear about what you need explained, you may receive a generic or unhelpful response. Always specify the subject you need clarification on.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain to me" functions as an imperative, directly requesting someone to provide an explanation. This is evident in the Ludwig examples, where it's used to solicit clarification on various topics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain to me" is a common and grammatically correct way to ask for clarification or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English and used across diverse contexts, especially in news, media, and science. While it leans towards a neutral register, being specific about the topic you need explained ensures you receive a more targeted and useful response. Alternative phrases like "clarify for me" or "walk me through it" can be used to adjust the level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help me understand

Focuses on the speaker's need for comprehension.

clarify for me

Replaces "explain" with "clarify", focusing on making something clearer.

give me an explanation

Transforms the request into a demand for an explanation.

elucidate for me

Uses a more formal synonym for "explain", suitable for academic or professional settings.

tell me more about it

Expresses interest in receiving additional details and information.

walk me through it

Implies a step-by-step explanation or demonstration.

break it down for me

Suggests simplifying a complex topic into more understandable parts.

what's the meaning of this

Directly asks for the significance or interpretation of something.

shed some light on this for me

Emphasizes gaining understanding or insight into a subject.

enlighten me

A more dramatic and somewhat humorous way to ask for an explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain to me" when you want someone to provide clarification or details on a particular topic. For example, "Can you "explain to me" how this new software works?"

What's a more formal way to say "explain to me"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "elucidate for me" or "clarify for me".

What can I say instead of "explain to me" in a casual context?

In a more casual setting, you could say "walk me through it" or "break it down for me".

When is it appropriate to use "explain to me"?

"Explain to me" is suitable in various situations, from seeking clarification in a professional setting to asking for a simple explanation from a friend. It's a direct and commonly understood request for information.