would you explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would you explain' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely ask someone to give you an explanation about something. For example: "Would you explain the company's policy on unpaid leave?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would you explain the title?

The New Yorker

HOW would you explain what flexing is?

The New York Times

Would you explain this more?

The Washington Post

How would you explain that?

Harvard Business Review

Would you explain the difference?

The New York Times

How else would you explain the following?

The Guardian

How would you explain that culturally?

The New York Times - Magazine

How would you explain Eurovision to newcomers?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How would you explain your large ambition?

The New York Times - Magazine

How would you explain basic scientific concepts to a child?

The New York Times

How would you explain that to Occupy Wall Street?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would you explain" in situations where a detailed or comprehensive understanding is needed. If a simple clarification suffices, consider using phrases like "could you clarify?" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "would you explain?" as a standalone question without specifying what you need explained. This can leave the other person unsure of what information you are seeking. Instead, be specific: "Would you explain how this new feature works?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would you explain" functions as a polite interrogative, used to request someone to provide an explanation or clarification. It's a common way to solicit information or seek a deeper understanding, as demonstrated by Ludwig in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would you explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for politely requesting a detailed explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While alternatives like ""could you clarify"" or ""can you elaborate"" exist, "would you explain" often implies a need for a comprehensive understanding. Remember to provide specific context when using this phrase to ensure clarity in your request.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you clarify

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand, rather than a general explanation.

can you elaborate

Emphasizes the desire for more details or a fuller account.

could you give more detail

Directly asks for additional information.

can you provide further insight

Seeks a deeper understanding or perspective on the topic.

would you mind clarifying

Adds an extra layer of politeness compared to "would you explain".

can you break it down

Implies simplifying a complex topic into easier-to-understand parts.

could you walk me through it

Suggests a step-by-step explanation or demonstration.

can you shed some light on

Requests clarification or insight, often when something is unclear or confusing.

explain further

A more direct and concise way of asking for more explanation.

what do you mean

Asks for clarification when something is not understood, focusing on the intended meaning.

FAQs

How do I use "would you explain" in a sentence?

"Would you explain" is used to politely ask someone to provide a detailed explanation about something. For example, "Would you explain the theory?" or "Would you explain the process?"

What can I say instead of "would you explain"?

Alternatives to "would you explain" include "could you clarify", "can you elaborate", or "could you provide details" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "would you explain" or "can you explain"?

Both "would you explain" and "can you explain" are grammatically correct, but "would you explain" is generally considered more polite and formal. "Can you explain" is more direct and informal.

What's the difference between "would you explain" and "could you explain"?

While both are polite ways to ask for an explanation, "would you explain" implies a stronger request or a need for a more thorough explanation, whereas "could you explain" is a gentler inquiry.