explain you

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain you" is not correct or usable in written English.
To make a sentence with the same meaning, you could use a phrase such as "Explain to me". For example, "Can you please explain to me how this works?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I need you to explain, you asshole".

The New Yorker

And I tried to explain, You don't understand.

The New Yorker

Finally he tries to explain: "You are thinking as a woman and I understand you, love.

The New York Times

"The war can't explain you for ever," the man's wife says as she leaves him.

The Guardian - Books

■ Similarly, speak to your landlord and explain you can't afford next month's rent.

The Guardian - Money

At British festivals, I explain, you invariably end up too hot, too wet, or too cold.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Demme explained: "You know.

The Guardian - Opinion

She explains, "You never mention fat.

The New Yorker

She explained: "You could have irregular heartbeat.

BBC

If you are explaining, you are losing.

Huffington Post

Pick out a song that explains you.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical structure: "explain to you" or "explain it to you". This ensures clarity and avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "explain you" as it is not standard English. Ensure you include the preposition "to" to correctly indicate the recipient of the explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain you" is grammatically incorrect. In English, "explain" requires a preposition like "to" to connect it to the indirect object. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain you" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct usage requires the preposition "to", as in "explain to you". As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is non-standard and should be avoided in formal writing. It's important to use grammatically correct alternatives like "explain to you" or "explain it to you" to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain to you

Corrects the grammar by adding the preposition "to", making the sentence structure standard.

let me explain to you

Adds "let me" to soften the statement and offer an explanation.

explain it to you

Adds "it to" for grammatical correctness, specifying that something is being explained.

can I explain it to you

Presents the explanation as a question, offering to clarify something.

may I explain it to you

Presents the explanation as a question, offering to clarify something.

could I explain it to you

A more polite and tentative version of offering an explanation.

allow me to explain to you

Uses a more formal tone with "allow me" to introduce an explanation.

would you like me to explain to you

Asks if the person wants an explanation in a very polite manner.

can you explain

Asks if someone can explain something.

help you understand

Shifts the focus to facilitating understanding rather than just explaining.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "explain" with "you"?

The correct usage is to say "explain to you" or "explain it to you". The preposition "to" is essential for grammatical accuracy.

What's wrong with saying "explain you"?

Saying "explain you" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form requires the preposition "to", as in "explain to you".

Are there alternatives to "explain to you"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use phrases like "let me explain to you", "allow me to explain to you", or simply "clarify for you".

When should I use "explain to you" instead of "explain it to you"?

"Explain to you" is used when the focus is on the person receiving the explanation, while "explain it to you" is used when the focus is on the thing being explained. For example, "Let me explain to you the situation" vs. "Let me explain it to you, so you understand".