Cool MateDescribe vs Explain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Describe
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Describe | Explain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈskraɪb/","/dɪˈskraɪbz/","/dɪˈskraɪbd/","/dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈskraɪb/","/dɪˈskraɪbz/","/dɪˈskraɪbd/","/dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To say what something is like in detail. | To make something clear or easy to understand. |
| Example | Can you describe the beautiful landscape you saw yesterday? | Can you explain how this machine works? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | accurately, exactly, in detail, cannot, be difficult to, be hard to | in detail, fully, adequately, be able to, be unable to, can, about, to, explain everything, go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something, in detail, fully, adequately, be able to, be unable to, can, about, to, explain everything, go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something |
| Antonyms | suppress, hide, obscure | confuse, obscure, complicate |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'prescribe' which means to authorize the use of something., Using 'describe' without an object, like saying 'I describe.', Using incorrect tense or forms, e.g., 'described' instead of 'describe' for present actions. | Using 'explain' without an object, e.g., 'I will explain' instead of 'I will explain the concept.', Confusing 'explain' with 'describe' – 'explain' is about making something clear, while 'describe' is about detailing., Misusing the tense, e.g., saying 'I explained' when referring to a future action. |
| Usage notes | Use 'describe' when you want to explain features or characteristics of something. It's suitable for formal or informal contexts but avoid using it in very casual settings where simpler words may suffice. | Use 'explain' when you want to clarify or make something easier to understand. It's appropriate in both speaking and writing, but avoid using it in highly formal contexts where more technical terms might be preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Describe vs Explain
What's the difference between Describe and Explain?
Describe: To say what something is like in detail. Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand.
Are Describe and Explain the same CEFR level?
Describe: A1, Explain: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Describe and Explain interchangeably?
Not always. Describe and Explain are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.