explaining to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explaining to me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is providing clarification or information directly to you. Example: "I appreciate you explaining to me how the new software works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shouldn't HE be the one explaining to ME (things I already know... or thought I knew)?

Huffington Post

It's maybe the explaining to me she can't face.

The New Yorker

A friend had been explaining to me the nature of her belief in God.

The New York Times

They've been explaining to me what they do and are letting me see them in action.

Columbia University

"Oh, good, more drama," said Anna, explaining to me what was about to happen.

The New York Times - Travel

Teruel was explaining to me the implications of her newly published research on the formation of fat cells.

Stanford University

"Mostly, it's people explaining to me that they're excited to see a fresh new face," she said.

The New York Times

Before they left, I had them each write a few paragraphs explaining to me how they'd lost their feet.

The New Yorker

"He was constantly starting over, constantly rewriting, always explaining to me helpful things, like, The punch line is not what makes the joke, it's the straight line.

The New Yorker

Sam Bollier, New York I really must thank Roger Cohen for explaining to me and to the world how the Lebanese mind works.

The New York Times

"She still had a bit of a stomach and he spent hours explaining to me in an interview how he had covered it up".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explaining to me" when you want to emphasize the act of someone directly providing you with information or clarification. It highlights the personal interaction and can be used in various contexts, from formal to informal.

Common error

Avoid overly passive constructions when using "explaining to me". Instead of "It was explained to me", opt for the more direct "He/She was explaining to me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explaining to me" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a verb complement or part of a continuous verb tense. It denotes the action of someone providing information or clarification to the speaker, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explaining to me" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone is providing you with information or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While there are many ways to express this idea, options like "clarifying for me", "informing me", or "telling me", provide suitable alternatives for varied scenarios. When employing this phrase, prioritize active voice to ensure clarity. The versatility and frequent use of "explaining to me" make it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying for me

Focuses on making something clearer, implying a removal of confusion.

informing me

Emphasizes the act of giving information, often without the need for extensive detail.

telling me

A more direct and simple way of saying someone is conveying information.

elucidating for me

Suggests a more formal and detailed explanation, making something easier to understand.

illuminating for me

Implies revealing new insights or perspectives, bringing light to a subject.

walking me through

Describes a step-by-step explanation, often used for processes or procedures.

breaking it down for me

Indicates simplifying a complex topic into more manageable parts.

giving me the rundown

Informal way of saying someone is providing a summary or overview.

giving me the details

Implies providing specific and relevant information.

showing me the ropes

Explains how something is done, especially in a new environment or situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "explaining to me"?

Alternatives include "clarifying for me", "informing me", or "telling me" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "explaining to me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "explaining to me" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It functions as a gerund phrase.

What's the difference between "explaining to me" and "explaining me"?

"Explaining me" is not grammatically correct. The preposition "to" is required to indicate the recipient of the explanation, hence "explaining to me" is the correct form.

When is it appropriate to use "explaining to me" in writing?

It is appropriate in any context where you want to emphasize that someone is directly providing you with information. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing, though you may opt for alternatives like "elucidating for me" in more formal settings.