Explain it to me, not “explain me”

The rule

After explain, put the thing first and the person after to: Can you explain the rule to me? Never explain me. The same goes for describe and suggest: describe it to me.

Arabic اشرح لي and French explique-moi put the person straight after the verb. English explain doesn't work that way.

Examples

In a conversation

A: Sorry, can you explain this sentence to me?

B: Of course. It means the shop is closed on Sundays.

A: Thanks! Can you explain to me how to pay online?

B: Sure, I'll show you.

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. Could you ___, please?
   • a) explain me the homework
   • b) explain the homework to me
   • c) explain the homework me
2. She ___ how the app works.
   • a) explained us
   • b) explained to us
   • c) explained us to
3. Can you ___ the photo to me?
   • a) describe
   • b) describe me
   • c) explain me

Tip

Before a question word, put to me first: Can you explain to me how it works? Or keep it simple: Can you explain this?

Answers

1. b) explain the homework to me. The thing first, then to me.
2. b) explained to us. Before how, use explained to us.
3. a) describe. Describe the thing, then to me.

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