explains to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explains to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is providing information or clarification to another person or group. Example: "The teacher explains to the students the importance of studying for their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We write," he explains, "to bear witness".

The New York Times

"But no one explains to them why".

The New York Times - Books

A guard explains to him: He's hungry.

The New Yorker

Writer explains to President that his work is "darkly comic".

The New Yorker

Later Day explains to Rachel that she dreamed of Stella.

The New Yorker

Leslie explains to Ilka that she bores them now.

The New Yorker

"Robinson is a Methodist," Rickey explains to a worried colleague.

The Economist

An observer explains to the narrator what's going on.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then explain to yours.

Independent

"Please explain to me".

The New York Times - Sports

Please explain to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explains to", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is providing the explanation and who is receiving it. Proper sentence structure is essential for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "explains to" in situations where the recipient of the explanation is unclear. Always specify the person or group being addressed to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explains to" functions as a verb phrase that connects the act of explaining with the recipient of the explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard and acceptable grammatical construction. The phrase helps to clarify the direction of the explanation, showing who is providing the information and to whom it is being given.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explains to" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase widely used to indicate the act of providing clarification or information to a specific recipient. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and business documents underscores its broad applicability. While alternatives like "clarifies for" or "informs" exist, "explains to" remains a clear and direct way to convey the act of explanation, making it an essential component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifies for

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand for someone.

elucidates for

Emphasizes a more detailed and thorough explanation.

informs

Highlights the act of conveying knowledge or facts.

describes to

Focuses on providing a detailed account or representation.

reveals to

Suggests uncovering or disclosing something previously unknown.

outlines for

Implies presenting the main features or structure of something.

demonstrates to

Highlights the act of showing or proving something to someone.

presents to

Focuses on formally introducing or showcasing information.

details for

Emphasizes providing specific and intricate information.

expounds on for

Implies a lengthy and elaborate explanation.

FAQs

How do I use "explains to" in a sentence?

Use "explains to" to show someone is giving information or clarification to another person. For example: "The teacher "explains to" the students the rules of the game."

What can I say instead of "explains to"?

You can use alternatives like "clarifies for", "elucidates for", or "informs" depending on the context and the level of detail in the explanation.

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

"Explains" can be used without "to" if the object of the explanation is directly stated. However, "explains to" is used when specifying the recipient of the explanation: "He "explains the concept"" vs "He "explains to me the concept"".

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

"Explains to" focuses on making something understandable, while "describes to" focuses on providing a detailed account. For example: "The guide "explains to" tourists the history of the monument" versus "The witness "describes to" the police the appearance of the suspect".