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# explain

«explain» in Mova's school dictionary: **To make something clear or easy to understand by…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

verb (explain, explains, explained, explaining)

### meaning for a pupil

1) To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#m1)

2) To give a reason for something: «Can you explain why you were late?» [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#m2)

### sense in the lessons

In school: «Explain your answer» or «explain your thinking» means write or say HOW you got it and WHY it is right, not only the answer; science asks you to explain what happened in an experiment. In everyday life: explaining a problem to a trusted adult. Phrases: explain to someone, explain why, explain how, explain yourself, explain your answer, explanation.

### examples

- Can you explain how you got 24? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x1)
- The teacher explained the rules of the game. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x2)
- Please explain why you were late. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x3)
- Explain your answer with a picture. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x4)
- I'll explain it again more slowly. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x5)
- Can you explain how a rainbow forms? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x6)
- She explained the problem to her mum. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x7)
- There's no need to explain — I understand. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x8)
- I cannot explain more at present. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x9)

### note

Regular verb: explained. Say «explain something TO someone» — not «explain me». Noun: explanation (spelling: «explan-a-tion», no i after a). In maths tests, «explain» usually gives marks for working, not just the answer.

### In the corpora

- [Before an election, leaflets with smiling faces land on the mat: each candidate explains what they promise.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/31-votes-parties-and-the-people-in-charge/2/)
- [An election is when adults vote to choose their leaders and representatives; candidates send leaflets to explain their promises.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/31-votes-parties-and-the-people-in-charge/8/)
- [Later Mum explains: Grandpa needs a small operation and they were planning the trip to visit him.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/35-closed-doors-whispers-and-secrets/5/)
- [At bedtime Mum explains he had an awful week at work, and Dad comes up and says, "Sorry, mate.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/36-big-feelings-in-big-people/4/)
- [What's all this tax?" Dad laughs and explains where the missing money went.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/39-money-work-and-the-big-choices/3/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «explain» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.