/ɪkˈspleɪn/
Translation
To make something clear or easy to understand by giving more facts or reasons.
Word origin
From Latin explanare, meaning to make flat or make plain, from planus, flat.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- explanare
Grammar
Examples
?
"Explain" means to make something clear.
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"Explains" is the form used with he, she, or it.
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"Explained" is the past form of "explain".
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(4)Grammar articles
(9)Adjective order in English: opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose
Countable and uncountable nouns in English: advice, information, news and the ones you simply have to learn
Hedging and vague language in English: sort of, a bit, -ish, stuff and or so
Nominalisation in English: arrive becomes arrival, decide becomes decision, and why written English turns actions into things
Advanced passive structures in English: the get-passive, it is said that, and passives with two objects
Phrasal verbs exercises: 80 questions with answers
Phrasal verbs in English: what they are, meanings, rules and examples
Reported speech in English: backshift, questions and commands
Wish and if only in English: wish + past, wish + past perfect, wish + would, and why I wish I would is wrong
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explain: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the English word "explain" (To make something clear or easy to understand by giving more facts or reasons.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 11.