Use explain to before a person who receives the explanation. Use explain in for language, style, or form.
Use explain to someone when naming the listener. Use explain in something when referring to a language, style, or level of detail, such as explain in English or explain in simple terms.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use to before the person receiving the explanation.
Use in with languages, wording, or style.
Explain is commonly followed directly by what is being explained.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
To is used for people or audiences, not topics.
✕ She explained to the problem. ✓ She explained the problem.Use to when naming the person receiving the explanation.
✕ He explained me the rules. ✓ He explained the rules to me.In describes style or language, not the audience.
✕ She explained in me. ✓ She explained to me.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
No. Standard English uses explain to me or explain it to me.
It appears in informal speech, but explain plus the topic is usually more natural, such as explain the plan.
Yes, in can sometimes introduce a place adjunct, such as explained it in the meeting, but this is separate from the verb’s main pattern.
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