Cool MateExplain vs Help me clear this thing up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Help me clear this thing up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ExplainMost common: Explain
| Explain | Help me clear this thing up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hɛlp miː klɪə ðɪs θɪŋ ʌp//🇺🇸 //hɛlp mi klɪr ðɪs θɪŋ ʌp// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Make something easier to understand or solve a problem. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | Can you help me clear this thing up about the project deadline? |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | 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 | help me clear up confusion, clear up misunderstandings, help clear up doubts, clear up important details, help clear this matter up |
| Antonyms | confuse, obscure, complicate | - |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using 'clear' without 'up' - 'help me clear this thing' is incomplete., Confusing 'clear up' with 'clear out' - the latter means to remove items., Misplacing the context - it is not used when requesting physical cleaning. |
| Usage notes | 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 casual conversations when asking for assistance with confusion or problems. It may not be appropriate in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Help me clear this thing up
What's the difference between Explain and Help me clear this thing up?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Help me clear this thing up: Make something easier to understand or solve a problem.
Which is more formal: Explain and Help me clear this thing up?
Explain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Explain and Help me clear this thing up?
Explain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Help me clear this thing up: Can you help me clear this thing up about the project deadline?
Can I use Explain and Help me clear this thing up interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Help me clear this thing up 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.