Explain vs Specify

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Explain

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 verb

Specify

Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

Most common: Explain

	Explain	Specify
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈspesɪfaɪ/","/ˈspesɪfaɪz/","/ˈspesɪfaɪd/","/ˈspesɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈspesɪfaɪ/","/ˈspesɪfaɪz/","/ˈspesɪfaɪd/","/ˈspesɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To make something clear or easy to understand.	To say exactly what you mean.
Example	Can you explain how this machine works?	Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	A1	B2
Part of speech	verb	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	clearly, fully, carefully, allow somebody to, require somebody to, be difficult to
Antonyms	confuse, obscure, complicate	vague, generalize
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 'specification' instead of 'specify'., Confusing 'specify' with 'identify'., Omitting the object when using 'specify'.
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 'specify' when you want to give detailed information. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, especially in formal situations. Avoid in very casual conversations.

See it in real clips

Sherlock › S1 E1

OK, two bottles. Explain.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Then explain the creases at the bottom.

Game Of Thrones › S1 E1

Should I explain to you the meaning of a closed door in a whorehouse, brother?

Sherlock › S1 E1

OK, two bottles. Explain.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Then explain the creases at the bottom.

Explain

Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Specify

What's the difference between Explain and Specify?

Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Specify: To say exactly what you mean.

Which is more common: Explain and Specify?

Explain is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Explain and Specify?

Specify is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Explain and Specify the same CEFR level?

Explain: A1, Specify: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Explain and Specify?

Explain: verb, Specify: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Specify: Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes.

Can I use Explain and Specify interchangeably?

Not always. Explain and Specify 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.