Cool MateExplain vs Tell me what's going on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Tell me what's going on
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Explain
| Explain | Tell me what's going on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi wɒts ˈɡəʊɪŋ ɒn//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi wɑts ˈɡoʊɪŋ ɑn// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Ask someone to explain what is happening. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | When I walked in, everyone looked confused, so I asked, 'Tell me what's going on.' |
| 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 | tell me what's happening, tell me the news, tell me the update |
| 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. | Omitting 'me' and saying just 'Tell what's going on'., Confusing with 'Tell me what's wrong'., Not using it in a questioning tone. |
| 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 informal settings to inquire about a situation. Suitable for friends or colleagues but may be too casual for formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Tell me what's going on
What's the difference between Explain and Tell me what's going on?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me what's going on: Ask someone to explain what is happening.
Which is more common: Explain and Tell me what's going on?
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 what's going on: When I walked in, everyone looked confused, so I asked, 'Tell me what's going on.'
Can I use Explain and Tell me what's going on interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Tell me what's going on 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.