/ɛksplike/
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Translation
to explain
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Word origin
From Latin explicare ('to unfold, to explain'), from ex- ('out') and plicare ('to fold').
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- explicare
- English cognates
- explicate, explicit, explain
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | explique | expliquais | expliquai | expliquerai | expliquerais |
| tu | expliques | expliquais | expliquas | expliqueras | expliquerais |
| il/elle | explique | expliquait | expliqua | expliquera | expliquerait |
| nous | expliquons | expliquions | expliquâmes | expliquerons | expliquerions |
| vous | expliquez | expliquiez | expliquâtes | expliquerez | expliqueriez |
| ils/elles | expliquent | expliquaient | expliquèrent | expliqueront | expliqueraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | explique | expliquasse |
| tu | expliques | expliquasses |
| il/elle | explique | expliquât |
| nous | expliquions | expliquassions |
| vous | expliquiez | expliquassiez |
| ils/elles | expliquent | expliquassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | explique |
| nous | expliquons |
| vous | expliquez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- expliquant
- Past participle
- expliqué · expliquée · expliqués · expliquées
Examples
?
Could you explain to me how this machine works?
.
He gently explained to her why he could not come.
.
We are going to have it out once and for all after the meeting.
- ?
Can you explain to me how this machine works?
.
The teacher explains the lesson with great patience.
est un verbe regulier du premier groupe. Expliquer quelque chose a quelqu'un (to explain something to someone) est la construction transitive standard. S'expliquer (to explain oneself, to have a frank discussion) est la forme pronominale.
Expliquer pourquoi / comment / que + subordination est courant. S'expliquer avec quelqu'un (to have it out with someone) peut signifier une confrontation verbale. Explication (f) et explicatif / explicative sont les derives. Expliquer clairement (to explain clearly) et s'expliquer clairement sont des formules pedagogiques.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(13)Pour ou contre l'uniforme ?
3 min read · Core 5000
Ceux qui ne mangent jamais
5 min read · Core 5000
Elle commence à comprendre
5 min read · Core 5000
Il y avait beaucoup à lire
5 min read · Core 5000
J'aime bien ranger
5 min read · Core 5000
Je ne conduis pas de train
5 min read · Core 5000
Le parcours était mal fait
5 min read · Core 5000
Même pas à moi
5 min read · Core 5000
Pas encore
5 min read · Core 5000
Quand tu auras fini
5 min read · Core 5000
Un trou dans le graphique
5 min read · Core 5000
Elle sera remplacée
5 min read · Core 5000
Vingt minutes dans le noir
5 min read · Core 5000
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French · Free printables
expliquer: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the French word "expliquer" (to explain): 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 week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 7, lesson 7: expliquer, haut, pays and 7 more words.