Describe vs Explain

Cuándo usar cada una en inglés, con significado, registro y ejemplos.

Describe

Top 1000 (muy común)A1verb

Explain

Top 1000 (muy común)A1verb
 DescribeExplain
Pronunciación🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈskraɪb/","/dɪˈskraɪbz/","/dɪˈskraɪbd/","/dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈskraɪb/","/dɪˈskraɪbz/","/dɪˈskraɪbd/","/dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/
SignificadoTo say what something is like in detail.To make something clear or easy to understand.
EjemploCan you describe the beautiful landscape you saw yesterday?Can you explain how this machine works?
RegistroNeutralNeutral
Qué tan comúnTop 1000 (muy común)Top 1000 (muy común)
Nivel CEFRA1A1
Categoría gramaticalverbverb
Colocacionesaccurately, exactly, in detail, cannot, be difficult to, be hard toin 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
Antónimossuppress, hide, obscureconfuse, obscure, complicate
Errores comunesConfused with 'prescribe' which means to authorize the use of something., Using 'describe' without an object, like saying 'I describe.', Using incorrect tense or forms, e.g., 'described' instead of 'describe' for present actions.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.
Notas de usoUse 'describe' when you want to explain features or characteristics of something. It's suitable for formal or informal contexts but avoid using it in very casual settings where simpler words may suffice.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.

Preguntas frecuentes: Describe vs Explain

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre Describe y Explain?

Describe: To say what something is like in detail. Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand.

¿Describe y Explain tienen el mismo nivel CEFR?

Describe: A1, Explain: A1 en la escala CEFR.

¿Qué categoría gramatical son Describe y Explain?

Describe: verb, Explain: verb.

¿Puedes mostrar un ejemplo de cada una?

Describe: Can you describe the beautiful landscape you saw yesterday? Explain: Can you explain how this machine works?

¿Puedo usar Describe y Explain indistintamente?

No siempre. Describe y Explain están relacionadas y a veces se solapan, pero difieren en registro, frecuencia y uso, así que cambiar una por otra puede alterar el significado o el tono. Revisa las diferencias de arriba antes de sustituir.

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