Cool MateDescribe vs Explain vs Tell me what you know about
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Describe
Explain
Tell me what you know about
| Describe | Explain | Tell me what you know about | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈskraɪb/","/dɪˈskraɪbz/","/dɪˈskraɪbd/","/dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈskraɪb/","/dɪˈskraɪbz/","/dɪˈskraɪbd/","/dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl miː wɒt jʊ nəʊ əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi wɑt ju noʊ əˈbaʊt// |
| Meaning | To say what something is like in detail. | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Say what you understand about something. |
| Example | Can you describe the beautiful landscape you saw yesterday? | Can you explain how this machine works? | Tell me what you know about the history of the city. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (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 | tell me about, tell me your thoughts, tell me more, tell me the details |
| 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. | Omitting 'what you know' in questions., Incorrectly using 'tell' instead of 'say'., Not including the subject when asking. |
| 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. | Use in formal discussions or when asking someone to share information. Avoid in casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Describe vs Explain vs Tell me what you know about
What's the difference between Describe, Explain, and Tell me what you know about?
Describe: To say what something is like in detail. Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me what you know about: Say what you understand about something.
Can you show an example of each?
Describe: Can you describe the beautiful landscape you saw yesterday? Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Tell me what you know about: Tell me what you know about the history of the city.
Can I use Describe, Explain, and Tell me what you know about interchangeably?
Not always. Describe, Explain, and Tell me what you know about 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.