26984 words

explained

3 definitions • 14 examples
1
past simple and past participle of
2
to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it:

Examples:

If there's anything you don't understand, I'll be happy to explain.
explain something to someone The teacher explained the rules to the children.
[ + question word ] Our guide explained where the cathedral was.
He explained how the machine worked.
Please could you explain why you're so late.
[ + that ] She explained that she was going to stay with her sister.
[ + speech ] "Someone must have hit the wrong button," an official explained.
explain yourself Molly asked the teacher if she could explain herself a little more clearly (= say more clearly what she meant).
No one has been able to explain (= give the reason for) the accident.
3
to give reasons to defend your behaviour:

Examples:

He hadn't been home for three days so I asked him to explain himself.
I'm not going to explain myself to someone who has never done a day's work in their life.
If they see this video, you'll be explaining yourself to a police officer in the very near future.
If they catch us in here, we're going to have a hard time explaining ourselves.
Why would you do such a thing? Go ahead - explain yourselves.

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