Cool MateExplain vs Make it clear anyway
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Make it clear anyway
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Explain
| Explain | Make it clear anyway | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt klɪə ˈɛnɪweɪ//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt klɪr ˈɛn.iˌweɪ// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Say something so it's easily understood. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | We need to make it clear anyway that our policy won’t change. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (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 | make it clear, to make it clear, make clear statements |
| 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. | Misuse 'clear' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confuse with phrases like 'make it obvious'., Forget to use 'anyway' when intended meaning is to insist. |
| 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 this phrase when you want to emphasize clarity despite challenges. It's suitable for informal and formal conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Make it clear anyway
What's the difference between Explain and Make it clear anyway?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Make it clear anyway: Say something so it's easily understood.
Which is more common: Explain and Make it clear anyway?
Explain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Make it clear anyway: We need to make it clear anyway that our policy won’t change.
Can I use Explain and Make it clear anyway interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Make it clear anyway 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.