explain to us

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain to us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to explain something to you or to a group that you are a part of. For example, "Can you please explain to us how this works?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

So explain to us what hydrofracking is.

The New Yorker

Q: How can you explain to us that don't understand?

The New York Times

"Explain to us what you want from us," the letter said.

The New York Times

Washington is trying to explain to us with bombs and rockets where our interests lie.

The New Yorker

"We study maths but without having a teacher to explain to us," says Athari.

The Guardian

"Please explain to us why anyone would care," the Paul campaign said.

The Guardian

They [then] explain to us how the United States deserved what happened".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was explained to us.

The New Yorker

It doesn't have to be explained to us.

The New York Times - Sports

Rosi explained to us later the reason for this reaction.

The Guardian - Film

Nobody explains to us why we are stopping here".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explain to us" when you want someone to provide clarity or understanding about a specific topic or situation. Ensure the context is clear so the person knows what you're asking them to explain.

Common error

When using "explain to us", make sure it's clear who "us" refers to. If the audience isn't immediately obvious, specify the group you represent to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain to us" functions as an imperative request. It directs someone to provide an explanation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to solicit clarification on a wide range of subjects, highlighting its direct and action-oriented nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain to us" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to request clarification or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted for more formal settings by using synonyms such as "elucidate for us". Remember to ensure clarity in pronoun reference and consider the audience when using this phrase. The phrase's prevalence and versatility make it a valuable addition to your communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify for us

Focuses on making something clearer, emphasizing the removal of confusion.

elucidate for us

Implies a more detailed and thorough explanation, often for complex topics.

walk us through

Suggests a step-by-step explanation, often used for processes or procedures.

break it down for us

Indicates a need for simplification, requesting a complex topic to be made easier to understand.

give us insight into

Seeks a deeper understanding or perspective on a particular issue or topic.

shed light on for us

Similar to 'give us insight', emphasizing the act of revealing or making something clearer.

spell it out for us

Requests a very clear and direct explanation, leaving no room for ambiguity.

interpret for us

Focuses on providing a meaning or understanding of something that may be ambiguous or unclear.

decipher for us

Implies that something is coded or difficult to understand, needing expert interpretation.

unravel for us

Suggests that something is complex and intertwined, needing to be disentangled for understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain to us" when you're seeking clarification or a detailed account. For example, "Can you "clarify for us" how this new policy will affect our team?"

What's a more formal alternative to "explain to us"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "elucidate for us" or "provide an explanation to us". These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

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

"Explain to us" is generally preferred when you're part of a group seeking an explanation. "Explain for us" is less common and can sound slightly awkward, though it might be used in specific contexts to emphasize explaining something on someone's behalf.

Is it always necessary to include "to us" after "explain"?

No, it's not always necessary. You can often simply say "explain", but including "to us" emphasizes that you are specifically requesting an explanation for yourself and others.