explain yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want someone to clarify a point or describe their meaning in more detail. For example: "I'm not sure what you mean, could you please explain yourself?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You have to explain yourself.

The New York Times

"Explain yourself," it advised Mr. Bloomberg.

The New York Times

You just come out and explain yourself.

The New York Times

"Now everybody's throwing it at me: explain yourself, woman!

The Guardian - Music

It puts into words things you just can't explain yourself".

The Guardian - Music

Can you explain yourself before I get bored?

The Guardian - Music

It means you don't have to explain yourself".

The Guardian

Watch a previous "Explain Yourself" with the cartoonist Liam Walsh.

The New Yorker

And a 'form' sounds like you have to explain yourself.

The New York Times - Tech

"You don't have to explain yourself," Ms. Webster added.

The New York Times

"To have to repeat yourself and explain yourself is not really fun," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explain yourself" when you need someone to provide a clear and justifiable reason for their actions or statements. It's suitable for situations where accountability and transparency are important.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, overuse of "explain yourself" in highly formal documents can sound accusatory. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "provide an explanation" or "clarify your position" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain yourself" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to provide a justification or clarification. Ludwig AI showcases it in examples where accountability or transparency is expected, demanding a clear and understandable rationale for actions or statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain yourself" serves as a direct imperative, commanding someone to provide a justification or clarification for their actions or statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and the phrase is very common across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While its directness can make it sound demanding, it is appropriate when accountability and transparency are needed. When a more formal tone is necessary, alternatives like "provide an explanation" or "clarify your position" may be more suitable. It is essential to consider the context and relationship between speakers to determine its appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give an explanation

This is a straightforward request for clarification, suitable for various contexts.

What do you mean by that?

This is a direct question seeking clarification of a previous statement.

Justify your actions

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the need to provide reasons for one's behavior.

What's your reasoning?

This alternative focuses specifically on understanding the logical thought process behind a decision or action.

Account for your behavior

This phrase suggests a need to take responsibility and provide an explanation for one's actions, often in a negative context.

Clarify your statement

This phrase is specific to situations where someone has made a statement that is unclear or ambiguous.

Elaborate on that

This is a more polite and less confrontational way of asking someone to provide more detail.

Defend your position

This suggests a need to argue in favor of one's viewpoint, often in the face of opposition.

Expound upon that

This alternative implies a more detailed and thorough explanation is required.

Shed light on this

This phrase is a more metaphorical way of asking for clarification, implying a need to make something clearer or more understandable.

FAQs

How do you use "explain yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "explain yourself" when you want someone to justify their actions or clarify a statement. For example, "The board asked you to explain yourself."

What can I say instead of "explain yourself"?

You can use alternatives like "justify your actions", "account for your behavior", or "give an explanation" depending on the context.

Is "explain yourself" rude?

The phrase "explain yourself" can sound demanding or accusatory depending on the tone and context. In formal or sensitive situations, consider using a more polite alternative such as "elaborate on that" or "could you clarify".

When is it appropriate to use "explain yourself"?

It's appropriate to use "explain yourself" when you need someone to provide a clear justification for their actions or statements, especially when there is a need for accountability. However, be mindful of the tone and context to avoid sounding overly aggressive.