Cool MateExplain vs Tell me about it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Tell me about it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ExplainMost common: Explain
| Explain | Tell me about it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi əˈbaʊt ɪt//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi əˈbaʊt ɪt// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Say more about something. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | I heard you went on a trip! Tell me about it! |
| 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 | tell me more, tell me everything, tell me their story |
| 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 it in formal situations where a more serious response is needed., Confusing it with 'tell me about that,' which is more specific., Omitting context, making the phrase confusing without prior information. |
| 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. | Used in casual conversations to invite someone to elaborate. Not suitable for formal contexts like business meetings. |
Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Tell me about it
What's the difference between Explain and Tell me about it?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me about it: Say more about something.
Which is more formal: Explain and Tell me about it?
Explain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Explain and Tell me about it?
Explain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Tell me about it: I heard you went on a trip! Tell me about it!
Can I use Explain and Tell me about it interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Tell me about it 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.