just explain

USAGE SUMMARY

'just explain' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to explain something to you in more detail. For example: "I'm not quite understanding your point, could you just explain it to me a bit more?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We just explain the situation".

Independent

Just explain to me.

The New York Times

Let me just explain a few things.

Yale University

Let me just explain to you what WRAPS is.

Cornell University

So can you just explain like how does that work?

Harvard Business Review

And also, if you can just explain again about that cream you were talking about.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

REINECKE: I have just explained that in outline.

Yale University

Finally, she just explained the concept of virginity straight out.

The New Yorker

James Augustus (Catfish) Hunter wasn't complaining, just explaining.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't offer solace, it just explains a situation.

The New York Times - Arts

"Of course all these films are not just explaining.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just explain", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what you need clarification on.

Common error

While "just explain" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "elucidate" or "expound upon" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just explain" primarily functions as an imperative, used to request clarification or elaboration from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

29%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for requesting clarification or elaboration. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, highlighting its prevalence in news media, academic settings, and even informal wikis. While appropriate for general use, remember that more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain professional or academic contexts. When using "just explain", ensure you provide enough context for the person to understand what you need clarified. Remember that depending on the context, phrases such as "simply explain", "clarify", or "elaborate", are perfectly suitable and can make your writing more professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply explain

Replaces "just" with "simply", suggesting a straightforward explanation.

explain in simpler terms

Requests an explanation using easier to understand language.

briefly explain

Adds a constraint of brevity to the explanation.

could you clarify that

Politely asks for clarification on a specific point.

clarify

A single word replacement focusing on making something clearer.

can you elaborate on that

A more formal way of asking for more details.

elaborate

Suggests providing more detail.

walk me through

Implies a step-by-step explanation.

shed some light on

Idiomatic way of asking for explanation.

break it down for me

Informal way to ask for a simplified explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "just explain" in a sentence?

You can use "just explain" to ask someone to clarify or elaborate on something. For example, "I'm not sure I understand, could you just explain that again?"

What can I say instead of "just explain"?

You can use alternatives like "simply explain", "clarify", or "elaborate" depending on the context.

Is "just explain" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "just explain" might be perceived as too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using alternatives like "could you elaborate" or "please clarify".

What's the difference between "just explain" and "explain"?

Adding "just" to "explain" softens the request, making it slightly less direct. However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable without significantly altering the meaning.