please explain how

USAGE SUMMARY

"please explain how" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as a polite way of asking someone to provide a detailed explanation of something. For example: "Please explain how to configure the printer on my laptop."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please explain how this is fair.

Independent

Can someone please explain how athletics is tied to scholarship?

The New York Times

Berkeley, please explain how you promote free speech and freedom?

University of California, Berkeley

Please explain how the first black hole was discovered.

Cornell University

Joe, please explain how this endorsement stuff works, is it to be completely one sided.

The New Yorker

Please explain how you got your government to overturn that referendum.

The Guardian

• Can someone please explain how Mark Penn still has a job?

The New York Times

Please explain how American collaboration with Sunni insurgents lends itself to this larger process of reconciliation.

The New York Times

Please explain how you know anything about the harrowing experiences we encounter every day.

The New York Times - Sports

Please explain how your theory of creationism fits the above known data more precisely?

The Guardian - Opinion

Will someone please explain how it became so esteemed if it is so unreadable?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please explain how" when you need a detailed explanation of a process, method, or situation. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "please explain how" excessively in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "how does this work?" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please explain how" functions as a polite request for a detailed explanation or clarification. It is commonly used to seek understanding of a process, method, or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please explain how" is a versatile and polite phrase used to request detailed explanations across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, indicating its suitability for both formal and neutral communication. While highly versatile, remember to adjust your phrasing for very casual situations. Consider alternatives like "how does it work?" for more informal inquiries. The phrase's consistent function and purpose make it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kindly provide an explanation of how

Adds politeness with "kindly", maintaining the request for an explanation.

Can you clarify how

Substitutes "explain" with "clarify", focusing on making something clearer.

Could you elaborate on how

Replaces "please explain" with a more formal request for elaboration.

Tell me more about how

Offers a slightly more conversational way to ask for an explanation.

Walk me through how

Asks for a step-by-step explanation, often in a practical context.

Please detail the process by which

Offers a more specific request for a step-by-step explanation.

Explain the mechanism by which

Focuses on the underlying mechanism or process.

Describe the manner in which

Formally requests a description of the way something is done.

What's the rationale behind how

Shifts the focus to the reasoning or justification for something.

How does it work, exactly

Inquires about the functionality, seeking a precise explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "please explain how" in a sentence?

You can use "please explain how" to politely request a detailed explanation, as in "Please explain how this new feature will benefit our users."

What are some alternatives to "please explain how"?

Alternatives include "can you clarify how", "could you elaborate on how", or "how does this work?", depending on the context.

Is "please explain how" formal or informal?

"Please explain how" is generally considered polite and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more casual situations might benefit from simpler phrasing.

When should I use "please explain how" instead of "how does it work"?

Use "please explain how" when you want a more thorough and potentially formal explanation. "How does it work?" is suitable for simpler, more casual inquiries.