Collocations for explain - verb

in detail
I wrote explaining the issues in great detail.

fully
The reasons for the accident have not been fully explained.

adequately, properly, satisfactorily | partly
This partly explains why he was so late.

briefly | easily, readily
This phenomenon can be easily explained.

clearly | carefully | patiently
The doctor explained patiently what the treatment would be.

earnestly | concisely, succinctly, tersely
The general principles behind the method used are explained clearly and concisely. ‘We''ve already paid,’ I explained tersely.

awkwardly, lamely | breathlessly, excitedly

be able/unable to, can/could
I know I''m late, but I can explain why.

attempt to, seek to, try to | help (to) | purport to
Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause.

be difficult to, be hard to
It''s difficult to explain exactly how the system works.

hasten to
She saw his quick frown and hastened to explain.

let sb
Let me explain what I mean.

about
She tried to explain about her fears and anxieties.

to
She explained the plan to me very carefully.

explain everything
I''ve got a letter here which explains everything.

go a long way/some way towards explaining sth
This goes some way towards explaining the hostility between the two groups.