Cool MateExplain vs Let me make something abundantly clear
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Let me make something abundantly clear
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Explain
| Explain | Let me make something abundantly clear | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt mi meɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ əˈbʌndəntli klɪə//🇺🇸 //lɛt mi meɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ əˈbʌndəntli klɪr// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | I want to explain something very clearly. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | Let me make something abundantly clear: we will not tolerate any form of disrespect. |
| 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 something clear, abundantly clear, let me clarify, emphasize something, stress the importance |
| 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. | Incorrectly using 'abundantly' in a casual context., Confusing with similar phrases that don't convey the same emphasis., Using it without the appropriate context may sound overly dramatic. |
| 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 in conversations or writing when you want to emphasize the clarity of your point. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid it in highly casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Let me make something abundantly clear
What's the difference between Explain and Let me make something abundantly clear?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Let me make something abundantly clear: I want to explain something very clearly.
Which is more common: Explain and Let me make something abundantly clear?
Explain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Let me make something abundantly clear: Let me make something abundantly clear: we will not tolerate any form of disrespect.
Can I use Explain and Let me make something abundantly clear interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Let me make something abundantly 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.