explains

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'explains' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are explaining something or providing an explanation for a certain situation or event. Example sentence: The professor explains the material in an easy to understand way.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What explains this?

The New York Times

She said: "It explains some things and it is for the nation to think in a sophisticated way about those shades of grey".

The Guardian

Felix Salmon explains why the first argument doesn't make sense with regard to broker-dealers.

The Economist

He has, he explains, been an Abba devotee since 1974, when he bought their single So Long for 10p in Woolworths.

The Guardian - Music

To a degree this explains the charged and explicit eroticism of much of his work – though it should be noted that Schiele also painted landscapes throughout his working life.

The Guardian - Arts

"We do retain some traditional parts of high school; kids still need to earn credit and study certain topics but we go about studying them a little differently," she explains.

The Guardian

What explains this enduring grip on both the public and political imagination?

The Guardian

There is also no way to implement this on a federal level as there is no federal sales tax, explains Kane.

The Guardian - Money

They may agree to the terms of use of the site which explains how their data will be used, and may assign their rights to the news organisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

We thought if we could sell surfing it could fund more of our international adventures," he explains.

The Guardian - Travel

The devastation wrought by the impact almost certainly explains the sudden death of the land-based dinosaurs, according to fresh analysis of the latest data.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explains" when you want to convey that someone is making something understandable by providing reasons or details.

Common error

Avoid using "explains" excessively in long, convoluted sentences. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for clarity.

Linguistic Context

Explains primarily functions as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'explain'. It indicates the action of making something clear or understandable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explains" is a very common and grammatically correct verb form used to indicate the action of making something understandable. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is widely applicable in various writing contexts. The phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, though it is suitable for formal, business, and scientific writing as well. When writing, ensure that "explains" is used in the correct tense and subject agreement to maintain clarity. For alternatives, consider "elucidates", "clarifies", or "interprets" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifies

Suggests removing confusion or ambiguity.

elucidates

Implies making something clearer by providing more detail or explanation.

accounts for

Highlights providing a reason or cause.

interprets

Focuses on providing a particular understanding or meaning.

expounds

Suggests presenting and explaining a theory or idea systematically and in detail.

defines

Emphasizes providing a precise meaning or scope.

describes

Focuses on giving a detailed account.

reveals

Highlights uncovering something previously unknown.

indicates

Suggests pointing out or showing something.

shows

Emphasizes visual demonstration or proof.

FAQs

How to use "explains" in a sentence?

Use "explains" to indicate that someone is providing reasons, details, or clarification to make something understandable. For example: "The teacher "explains" the concept clearly."

What can I say instead of "explains"?

You can use alternatives like "elucidates", "clarifies", or "interprets" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "explains" or "explained"?

The correct form depends on the tense and subject of the sentence. Use "explains" for third-person singular present tense (e.g., "He explains"), and "explained" for past tense (e.g., "He explained").

What's the difference between "explains" and "describes"?

"Explains" focuses on making something understandable by providing reasons or details, while "describes" focuses on giving a detailed account or depiction of something.