this explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this explain" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "this explains"? If this is the case, you can use it when you want to clarify or provide reasoning for something mentioned previously. Example: "This explains why the project was delayed; we encountered unexpected challenges."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Does this explain the difference?

The Economist

Could this explain the IMF's overshooting?

The Economist

Could this explain the fat bully?

The New York Times

Can this explain the "Halloween indicator"?

The New York Times

On his Instagram account McKenzie writes: "This explain a lot of things!!

The Guardian - Arts

Does this explain why Christianized Europe and America produced most of the mountaineers?

The New York Times - Books

Failures like this explain why some critics consider O'Connor's art brilliant but narrow and predictable.

The Guardian - Books

Does this explain why we don't see quarks on their own?

The Guardian

This launched the first Congo war.Can this explain the appalling brutality of the conflict?

The Economist

Could this explain the dearth of shoppers in this staid, old-fashioned store the day I was there?

The New Yorker

And does this explain why we've only seen the shadowy outline of Blofe... sorry Oberhauser's features in footage so far?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise verbs like "clarifies", "accounts for", or "illustrates" to strengthen the explanatory nature of your sentence and provide clarity.

Common error

The most common mistake is using the base form of the verb "explain" with the singular subject "this". Always use the third-person singular form, "explains", to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this explain" functions as an attempt to provide an explanation or justification. However, due to the subject-verb disagreement, it fails to meet standard grammatical requirements. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "this explain" is frequently found across numerous sources including news, science, and even some formal business contexts, it is fundamentally grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "this explains". To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, it is crucial to use the correct verb conjugation or consider using alternatives such as "this clarifies" or "this accounts for". Paying attention to subject-verb agreement will significantly improve the effectiveness and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this explains

Corrects the grammatical error by using the third-person singular form of the verb.

this clarifies

Offers a more precise and polished way to introduce a clarification or explanation.

this accounts for

Suggests the explanation provides a reason for a particular phenomenon or observation.

this demonstrates

Emphasizes the evidential nature of the explanation, showing proof or evidence.

this indicates

Suggests that the explanation is a sign or signal of a certain condition or result.

this illustrates

Implies that the explanation uses an example or visual to make the point clearer.

this highlights

Focuses on the key aspects of the explanation, drawing attention to important details.

this reveals

Conveys that the explanation uncovers or makes something known that was previously hidden.

this proves

Asserts that the explanation provides definitive evidence to support a claim.

this supports

Implies that the explanation lends credibility or justification to a particular idea or argument.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "this explain"?

The phrase "this explain" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "this explains". You can also use alternatives such as "this clarifies" or "this accounts for".

What does "this explain" mean?

Although grammatically incorrect, "this explain" is often used to introduce an explanation or a reason for something. To correct it, you should use "this explains", which means "this provides a reason for" or "this clarifies why something is the case".

Is "this explain" ever grammatically correct?

No, "this explain" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "this explains". The verb must agree with the singular subject "this".

What are some alternatives to "this explain"?

Instead of "this explain", you can use alternatives like "this clarifies", "this indicates", or "this demonstrates", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.