To explain means to make something clear by describing or detailing it; to give reasons for something. Example: Could you explain the difference between these two words?
What Does Explain Mean?
Explain comes from Latin explanare — from ex- (out) and planus (flat, level). The original image was of unfolding or spreading something out flat so it could be seen clearly. The word entered English in the 15th century via Old French and has kept its core sense ever since: to lay something out so another person can understand it.
In everyday English, explain has two closely related meanings. The first is to make something clear — to describe how something works, what something means, or how to do something. The second is to give reasons or justification — to account for why something happened or why you did something. Both uses are common at B1 level and above.
Explain is a regular transitive verb. Its past tense and past participle are both explained. The noun form is explanation, the adjective is explanatory, and the adjective meaning "able to be explained" is explainable. The negative adjective inexplicable (impossible to explain) is common at C1 level.
Example Sentences (A2 to C1)
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| Can you explain this word, please? | A2 — simple request with direct object |
| She explained that the shop was closed on Sundays. | B1 — explain + that-clause |
| Could you explain the difference between these two words? | B1 — explain + noun phrase |
| The teacher explained the grammar rule clearly and gave several examples. | B2 — explain + adverb collocation in narrative |
| The report fails to explain why the figures differ so significantly from last year's projections. | C1 — academic register, explain + why-clause |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| explain clearly | Please explain your answer clearly. |
| explain in detail | The manual explains the process in detail. |
| explain briefly | Could you explain briefly what happened? |
| explain fully | I will explain the situation fully when I see you. |
| explain the reason | He refused to explain the reason for his decision. |
| explain the difference | Can you explain the difference between these two tenses? |
| explain the process | The diagram explains the process step by step. |
| explain away | She tried to explain away her absence. |
| explain yourself | You need to explain yourself — what happened? |
| explain something to someone | Let me explain this to you more simply. |
Usage Notes
How to Use Explain Correctly
- Explain can be followed by a noun phrase: explain the rule, explain the situation.
- Explain can be followed by a that-clause: He explained that he had been ill.
- Explain can be followed by a wh-clause: She explained why she was late. / Can you explain how this works?
- When the listener is mentioned, use explain something to someone: She explained the plan to the class. The preposition to is required — you cannot drop it in standard British English.
- In formal and academic writing, explain is preferred over informal alternatives such as go over, walk through, or spell out.
- Explain is rarely used in the passive with a personal subject. Prefer: The situation was explained to him rather than He was explained the situation.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Can you explain me the homework?
Can you explain the homework to me? (explain something TO someone — the preposition "to" is required)
She explained me that the lesson was cancelled.
She explained to me that the lesson was cancelled.
He explained the answer without saying nothing.
He explained the answer without saying anything. (avoid double negatives in English)