explain what happens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain what happens" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to clarify or describe the events or outcomes of a particular situation or process. Example: "In your report, please explain what happens during the experiment and the results that were observed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And you're going to explain what happens".

The Guardian - Business

But I've been very clear, because I think you have to explain what happens.

The Economist

But this does not explain what happens to women when they genuinely need treatment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The laws of physics predict their existence but cannot explain what happens inside a black hole.

The Guardian

The government plans to issue regulations to explain what happens when a worker can afford individual but not family coverage.

The New York Times - Health

Here she recounts a meeting about a week ago that helps explain what happens when actors meet paperwork.

The New York Times

The two equations on the right explain what happens when you move an electrical or magnetic field.

The Guardian

Don't forget to describe it and explain what happens when it's manipulated (a big boom, I assume).

The Guardian - Tech

Sometimes you wish it were simpler to explain what happens inside you when you hear the word Perú.

The New Yorker

We try to explain what happens when you build up in the weather, and sometimes people pick an alternate site".

The New York Times - Travel

For all of its successes, Einstein's relativity cannot explain what happens at the centre of a black hole.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain what happens", ensure that the context is clear, specifying the situation or event you want to be explained.

Common error

Avoid using "explain what happens" without specifying the scenario. For example, instead of saying "explain what happens", specify "explain what happens during the chemical reaction" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain what happens" primarily functions as a request for information or clarification. It prompts someone to describe a sequence of events, a process, or the consequences of an action, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain what happens" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that serves as a direct request for clarification or a description of events. According to Ludwig, this phrase is categorized as correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, indicating its versatility across different contexts. While simple and accessible, it's important to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "describe the events" or "clarify the situation", which can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase enjoys strong source quality and expert validation, making it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describe the events

This alternative focuses on providing a detailed account of the occurrences.

clarify the situation

This emphasizes making the circumstances or state of affairs more understandable.

detail the process

This highlights providing a step-by-step explanation of how something unfolds.

outline the consequences

This focuses on explaining the results or effects of a particular action or event.

illustrate the sequence of events

This suggests using examples or visual aids to show the order in which things occur.

elucidate the outcome

This alternative implies making the final result or conclusion clear and comprehensible.

spell out the implications

This emphasizes explicitly stating the consequences or ramifications.

walk through the scenario

This suggests a step-by-step explanation, often used to visualize potential events.

break down the mechanics

This highlights explaining the inner workings or functional aspects of something.

shed light on the matter

This suggests providing information that clarifies something previously unclear or mysterious.

FAQs

How can I use "explain what happens" in a sentence?

You can use "explain what happens" to ask someone to clarify the events or outcomes of a situation. For example: "Can you explain what happens if the experiment fails?"

What's a good alternative to "explain what happens"?

Alternatives include phrases like "describe the events", "clarify the situation", or "detail the process", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "explain what happens" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "explain what happens" when you need a clear and concise explanation of a process, event, or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though clarity is key.

Is "explain what happens" too informal for academic writing?

While "explain what happens" is generally acceptable, you might prefer more formal alternatives like "elucidate the outcome" or "detail the process" in academic writing, depending on the specific tone and requirements.