Cool MateExplain vs Tell me what you know about
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Tell me what you know about
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Explain
| Explain | Tell me what you know about | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl miː wɒt jʊ nəʊ əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi wɑt ju noʊ əˈbaʊt// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Say what you understand about something. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | Tell me what you know about the history of the city. |
| 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 about, tell me your thoughts, tell me more, tell me the details |
| 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 'what you know' in questions., Incorrectly using 'tell' instead of 'say'., Not including the subject when asking. |
| 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 in formal discussions or when asking someone to share information. Avoid in casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Tell me what you know about
What's the difference between Explain and Tell me what you know about?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me what you know about: Say what you understand about something.
Which is more common: Explain and Tell me what you know about?
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 you know about: Tell me what you know about the history of the city.
Can I use Explain and Tell me what you know about interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Tell me what you know about 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.