properly explain

USAGE SUMMARY

"properly explain" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to convey that something needs to be explained in a thorough, accurate, or appropriate manner. Example: "To fully understand the concept, you must properly explain the underlying principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We failed to properly explain the dilemmas.

The Guardian

"That's the thing I just can't properly explain," he replied.

The New Yorker

I'm still waiting for the BBC to properly explain the decision to close 6 Music.

The Guardian

It's a journey each of us takes on our own, yet can never properly explain.

The Guardian

But at that hearing, there was no interpreter to properly explain that to Mr. Lafrem.

The New York Times

The effect is something that only a Russian, perhaps, can properly explain.

The New Yorker

Many of the doctors and nutritionists who recommend avoiding certain foods fail to properly explain the magnitude of their risks.

The New York Times

The level of emotion I felt about getting that part, I can't properly explain to anyone unless they're on drugs".

The Guardian

Also needed is actively engaging with the Pakistani diaspora to properly explain its aid programme and seek their support.

The Guardian

In the foreword, he emphasizes that oral history by itself cannot properly explain the broad tides of history.

The New York Times

Prior to the work of David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz, there was no theory in physics that could properly explain these exotic behaviours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "properly explain", ensure that the explanation is tailored to the audience's level of understanding to avoid jargon or overly complex language.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience has background knowledge. Even if they are familiar with the general topic, "properly explain" all key terms and concepts to ensure complete understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "properly explain" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "properly" modifies the verb "explain", indicating the manner in which the action should be performed. This emphasizes the quality and thoroughness of the explanation, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Science & Research

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "properly explain" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the importance of clarity and thoroughness in explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread application across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. The phrase serves to instruct, advise, or stress the need for a comprehensive understanding, and while its register is generally neutral, it is crucial to tailor the explanation to the audience's level of knowledge to avoid assumptions or overly complex language. Related phrases like "clearly elucidate" or "fully explicate" offer alternative ways to convey the same message with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly elucidate

Emphasizes making something clear and easy to understand, adding a formal tone.

adequately clarify

Focuses on providing sufficient clarification to remove confusion.

fully explicate

Stresses a complete and detailed explanation, suitable for complex topics.

correctly interpret

Highlights the accuracy of the explanation, focusing on conveying the right meaning.

effectively communicate

Focuses on the successful transmission of information, emphasizing the receiver's understanding.

thoroughly detail

Highlights the level of details in explanation, emphasizing an exhaustive treatment of the topic.

accurately portray

Stresses the factual correctness of the explanation, like giving the reader an exact picture of it.

sufficiently elaborate

Implies expanding on an idea with enough detail to make it understandable.

comprehensively break down

Highlights a methodical, detailed explanation that is made easier to understand.

succinctly convey

Focuses on the explanation being brief and to the point.

FAQs

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

You can use "properly explain" to emphasize the need for a thorough and clear explanation. For instance, "The teacher needs to "properly explain" the concept so that all students understand it."

What does "properly explain" mean?

"Properly explain" means to explain something thoroughly, accurately, and in a way that is easy to understand. It emphasizes the importance of clarity and completeness in communication.

What are some alternatives to "properly explain"?

Some alternatives to "properly explain" include "clearly elucidate", "adequately clarify", or "fully explicate". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to "properly explain" or just "explain"?

Using "properly explain" emphasizes the quality and thoroughness of the explanation. While "explain" is sufficient in many cases, ""properly explain"" suggests a more deliberate and careful approach to ensure full understanding.