to explain further

USAGE SUMMARY

"to explain further" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce an additional explanation to a concept or idea you have already discussed. For example, "We've already discussed the three components of the project, but to explain further, here are the details of each."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Manning did not have to explain further.

The New York Times - Sports

Nonacs kept silent, knowing better than to explain further.

The New Yorker

Justice Stephen G. Breyer pressed Mr. Rosenthal to explain further.

The New York Times

To explain further would be to ruin the surprise.

The New York Times

To explain further, let me return to summer of 1996.

Independent

He seemed about to explain further when his partner, Walter Becker, drily cut him off.

The New York Times - Arts

"There were various problems at home," she said, not wishing to explain further.

The New York Times

"Absolutely," Mr. Montoya replied, going on to explain further Mr. Salgado's perceived dilemma.

The New York Times

But without an interpreter, they don't understand him, and he's too embarrassed to try to explain further.

The Guardian

I am not a nuclear physicist, nor an heir to Dr Frankenstein, so I shall have to explain further.

The Guardian

"It is our standard process," Kelli Felker, a Ford spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail, declining to explain further.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to explain further" when you want to provide additional details or clarify a point you've already introduced. This helps the reader follow your reasoning and understand the topic better.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "to explain further". Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "to elaborate", "for instance", or "in more detail" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to explain further" functions as a transitional phrase, specifically a purpose connector. It serves to introduce additional information or clarification related to a previously mentioned topic, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to explain further" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce additional details or clarification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a purpose connector and is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from neutral to formal. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and business writing. When using "to explain further", ensure it effectively expands on previous points to enhance the reader's understanding, and remember to avoid overuse by incorporating alternative phrases such as "to elaborate" or "for instance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to clarify further

Emphasizes making something clearer.

for further clarification

Offers added explanation to avoid ambiguity.

to elaborate on that

Focuses on expanding upon a previous point.

to go into more detail

Implies a deeper dive into the subject matter.

to provide more detail

Highlights the act of adding specifics.

for more explanation

Indicates a desire for a more comprehensive understanding.

in order to expand

Highlights the intention of providing more detail.

by way of further explanation

A formal way of introducing additional clarification.

let me add to that

Suggests appending additional details to an existing point.

to put it another way

Offers an alternative phrasing to aid understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "to explain further" in a sentence?

You can use "to explain further" to introduce additional information or clarification. For example, "The initial results were promising; "to explain further", the control group showed significant improvement."

What are some alternatives to "to explain further"?

Alternatives include "to elaborate on that", "to clarify further", or "for further clarification". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use a comma after "to explain further"?

Yes, it's generally recommended to use a comma after "to explain further" when it introduces a clause. This helps separate the introductory phrase from the main part of the sentence.

What's the difference between "to explain further" and "in addition"?

"To explain further" is used to provide more detail or clarification on a point already made, while "in addition" simply introduces a new, related point without necessarily elaborating on the previous one. Therefore you may use "in addition" to provide a new argument and "to explain further" when you need to clarify a concept.