Cool MateExplain vs Make it more clear
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Make it more clear
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Explain
| Explain | Make it more clear | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt mɔːr klɪə//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt mɔːr klɪr// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Make something easier to understand. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | Can you please make it more clear what you meant by that? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| 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 | make it clear, make something clear, make it easier to understand |
| 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 'make it more clearer' - 'clearer' is incorrect here., Omitting 'it' when saying 'make more clear'., Confusing with 'make it clear' which has a slightly different emphasis. |
| 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 someone to explain or present information in a simpler way. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, but may feel too blunt in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Make it more clear
What's the difference between Explain and Make it more clear?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Make it more clear: Make something easier to understand.
Which is more common: Explain and Make it more clear?
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 more clear: Can you please make it more clear what you meant by that?
Can I use Explain and Make it more clear interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Make it more clear 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.