Cool MateExplain vs Tell me why
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Tell me why
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Explain
| Explain | Tell me why | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi waɪ//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi waɪ// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Ask someone to explain something to you. |
| Example | Can you explain how this machine works? | Can you tell me why the meeting was canceled? |
| 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 someone why, tell me why not, tell me why this happens |
| 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 why'., Using inappropriately in formal contexts without context., Misplacing the phrase at the end of a sentence. |
| 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 conversations when seeking an explanation. Suitable in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Explain vs Tell me why
What's the difference between Explain and Tell me why?
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me why: Ask someone to explain something to you.
Which is more common: Explain and Tell me why?
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 why: Can you tell me why the meeting was canceled?
Can I use Explain and Tell me why interchangeably?
Not always. Explain and Tell me why 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.