explain well

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain well" is not a correct part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it in spoken English, but it would not usually be appropriate in written English. For example: "Can you explain the solution to the problem well?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

And especially to explain: 'Well, yeah, and there's the Sinhalese and the Tamils and the war.

The Guardian - Music

He has some excellent ideas, like his plan to control health care costs, which he doesn't explain well.

The New York Times

"I believe there's a general consensus that to go home and explain, 'Well, we couldn't do it again,' would be totally unacceptable".

The New York Times

"And then to explain, 'Well, this is a new fiddle,' and to see their astonishment, makes me wonder why people assume you cannot build a fiddle now.

The New York Times

"But if we explain well how this thing starts and for what reason it starts, then people can appreciate that as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Two eerie story collections and two comic novels are part of this month's crop, along with an anthology that has science writers aiming to explain, well, everything.

The New York Times - Books

At the same time, if reforms involve issues that the existing theories cannot explain well, they are rejected because they would take the curriculum outside the domain of economics.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This investigation examined how Goal Contents Theory, Organismic Integration Theory, and Basic Psychological Needs Theory collectively explain well-being and behavioral outcomes related to physical activity over 6 months.

Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Therefore, contemporary demographic factors are more likely to explain well-separated populations of poor cold-hardy species in Western Europe, such as human introductions (e.g. [ 23]), or the recent extinction of intermediate populations [ 24].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Moreover, TOC1's participation in the rhythmic gating of ABA signalling can explain well-characterised rhythms in physiological processes downstream of ABA, such as the regulation of stomata aperture.

BMC Systems Biology

Third, in addition to exploring the relation between IQ and injury mortality rates, the present study permitted us to examine the extent to which IQ might explain well-established socioeconomic inequalities in injury mortality (5– 7).

American Journal of Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "explain well" with grammatically correct alternatives such as "explain clearly", "explain thoroughly", or "provide a clear explanation" for better clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "explain well" in formal writing; it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives like "explain clearly" or "elucidate effectively" to maintain professionalism and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain well" functions as an adverbial phrase, intended to modify the verb "explain", indicating the manner in which something is explained. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's often considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "explain well" is understandable, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is more appropriate for spoken language. The phrase appears in various contexts, including science and news media, but it's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "explain clearly" or "explain thoroughly", especially in formal settings. These alternatives ensure clarity and precision, enhancing the overall quality and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

articulate clearly

Focuses on the clarity and precision of the explanation.

elucidate effectively

Emphasizes making something clear and understandable in an effective manner.

present comprehensively

Highlights the thoroughness of the presentation.

describe thoroughly

Stresses the detail and completeness of the description.

convey effectively

Focuses on the successful transmission of information.

communicate clearly

Emphasizes the ease of understanding in the communication.

detail comprehensively

Highlights providing extensive detail.

illustrate effectively

Focuses on making something clear through examples or visuals.

expound thoroughly

Emphasizes a detailed and elaborate explanation.

present lucidly

Focuses on the clarity and ease of understanding of the presentation.

FAQs

Is "explain well" grammatically correct in written English?

According to Ludwig AI, "explain well" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English. It is more suitable for spoken language but not appropriate for formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "explain well" in academic writing?

In academic contexts, you can use alternatives like "explain clearly", "explain thoroughly", or "articulate clearly" to maintain a formal and precise tone.

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

Ensure that you use "explain" with an adverb that properly modifies it, such as "clearly", "thoroughly", or "effectively". For example, "The professor explained the concept clearly" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "explain well" and "explain clearly"?

"Explain clearly" is a grammatically correct and formal way to express the idea of providing an understandable explanation. "Explain well", while understandable, is considered informal and grammatically questionable in written English.