explain your question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain your question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to clarify or provide more details about their inquiry. Example: "I didn't quite understand what you meant. Could you please explain your question further?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you write to HMRC, give your NINO, PAYE reference, full name and address, and explain your question or claim.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Slowly explain your answers to their questions.

WikiHow

Table 2 Questions for focus group interviews Item Question Experience Explain your experience wearing [the name of each item of protective equipment].

Fashion and Textiles

Explain your answer for the above question.

CBE Life Sciences Education

We invite you to ask questions and explain your thinking.

The New York Times

Now is the time to ask questions or explain your haircare goals.

WikiHow

You will learn from seeing how other students approach problems and think about questions, and explaining your own thoughts to others will solidify your understanding.

WikiHow

"I don't remember what room the President was in, that's a largely irrelevant fact," Fife tries to explain, "The premise of your question is that something could have been done to change the outcome".

Huffington Post

She explains: "Make sure your questions don't sound rehearsed.

The Guardian

Always listen to your teacher because they might explain the question even more.

WikiHow

Later in the episode, when Carol was explaining Bing to her husband, she explained that you type in your question and the people at Bing get together and talk about it before coming back with an answer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "explain your question", be patient and allow them ample time to articulate their thoughts fully. Avoid interrupting or rushing them, as this can hinder clear communication.

Common error

Avoid immediately answering what you think the question is. Always ensure the person has fully explained their question before attempting a response. Premature assumptions can lead to irrelevant or incorrect answers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain your question" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to elaborate on or clarify their inquiry. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts where clarification is needed. Ludwig AI validates the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain your question" is a commonly used and grammatically sound imperative, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves the purpose of seeking clarification and deeper understanding, prompting the speaker to elaborate on their inquiry. It is versatile, applicable across diverse contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both professional and informal settings. For alternative phrasing, consider "clarify your question" or "elaborate on your question" to achieve similar communicative goals. Always allow the speaker sufficient time and space to fully articulate their question, and avoid making premature assumptions about its intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clarify your question

Replaces "explain" with "clarify", focusing on making the question clearer.

Elaborate on your question

Substitutes "explain" with "elaborate", suggesting a request for more detail.

Could you rephrase your question?

Asks for the question to be stated in a different way, focusing on understanding.

Can you provide more details about your question?

Requests additional information to better understand the question.

What exactly are you asking?

Directly asks for the core of the question, seeking a concise understanding.

Could you be more specific about your question?

Asks for increased precision and detail in the question.

Help me understand your question better

Focuses on the speaker's need for better comprehension of the question.

What is the purpose of your question?

Shifts focus to the underlying intent behind the question.

What are you trying to find out?

Inquires about the desired information the question aims to uncover.

Can you give me some background on your question?

Seeks context and prior information related to the question.

FAQs

How can I use "explain your question" in a sentence?

You can use "explain your question" when you need someone to provide more details or clarify the intent behind their inquiry. For example, you might say, "I'm not sure I understand what you're asking; could you please explain your question further?"

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

In a more formal setting, you could use phrases like "clarify your question" or "elaborate on your question". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Is it ever rude to ask someone to "explain your question"?

It is generally not rude to ask someone to "explain your question", especially if you genuinely need clarification. However, it's important to be polite and patient. Avoid phrasing it in a way that implies the person's question was unintelligent or poorly worded.

What is the difference between "explain your question" and "rephrase your question"?

"Explain your question" asks for more details or context to understand the original question. In contrast, "rephrase your question" asks the person to state the question differently, perhaps using simpler language or a different approach.