explaining to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explaining to him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of providing information or clarification to a male individual. Example: "She spent hours explaining to him the complexities of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm explaining to him the ramifications for not leaving.

The Washington Post

It's my way of explaining to him why I may be sad or moody.

The Washington Post

I was explaining to him about the parent partnership service when he said disabled children should be put down.

The Guardian

Bin Laden is acknowledging Hamza's complaint, but also explaining to him that hardship and exile are necessary.

The New Yorker

Just give them the hits.' I'm explaining to him that I really didn't want to do it.

The Guardian - Music

I e-mailed Frank again, explaining to him the importance of Greensburg's story and its relevance to the recent tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri, and the earthquakes in Japan.

Cornell University

"I was explaining to him donkey basketball, something that you play where I am from," said Smith, who works in Rwanda's coffee industry.

The New York Times - Sports

She supposed that he was trying to impress her — and she "tried explaining to him that it would be better if he didn't try to.

The New Yorker

Right?" BREAK Brian the photographer and I are cruising the streets, one last tour through town, and I am explaining to him my dilemma.

The Washington Post

Let him play". Or told the boy to stop yelling, explaining to him that this isn't the best way to be included.

The Washington Post

Because I look at my five-year-old son and I'm explaining to him what fog is and he thinks it's incredible".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explaining to him", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being explained and why the explanation is necessary. For example, "She was explaining to him the complexities of quantum physics, hoping he would grasp the underlying concepts."

Common error

Avoid over-explaining. Ensure your explanation is tailored to the recipient's existing knowledge. Patronizing explanations can damage rapport and hinder effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explaining to him" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often part of a larger verb phrase. It describes the action of conveying information, as seen in Ludwig's examples where someone is actively providing an explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explaining to him" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of providing information or clarification to a male individual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news and media to more informal settings. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the surrounding vocabulary to maintain consistency. When employing this phrase, ensure the context is clear and the level of explanation is tailored to the recipient's understanding. Alternatives like "clarifying for him" or "informing him" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying for him

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand, emphasizing the removal of confusion.

informing him

Implies simply providing information, without necessarily implying a need for clarification.

elucidating to him

A more formal way of saying explaining, suggesting a thorough and detailed explanation.

illuminating for him

Suggests bringing light to a topic, making it more understandable through insight.

instructing him

Implies a more formal or educational setting, focusing on teaching or training.

teaching him

Focuses on imparting knowledge or skills over time, often in a structured manner.

briefing him

Implies providing a concise summary of essential information, often for a specific purpose.

demonstrating to him

Focuses on showing how something is done, rather than just telling.

describing to him

Involves giving a detailed account of something, focusing on its characteristics or features.

walking him through

Suggests guiding someone step-by-step through a process or task.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "explaining to him"?

You can use alternatives like "clarifying for him", "informing him", or "elucidating to him" depending on the context and level of formality.

How can I use "explaining to him" in a sentence?

The phrase "explaining to him" is typically used to describe the act of providing information or clarification to a male individual. For example: "I spent the afternoon explaining to him how the new software works."

Is "explaining to him" formal or informal?

The phrase "explaining to him" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure will influence the overall formality.

What is the difference between "explaining to him" and "explaining it to him"?

While both phrases are similar, "explaining it to him" implies that there's a specific subject or concept being explained, whereas "explaining to him" is more general and may encompass a broader range of topics or issues. Consider replacing with "clarifying for him".