Verbs for Explanations

to make something clear and easy to understand by giving more information about it

He explained the plot of the movie to his friend who hadn't seen it.

to make something clear and easy to understand by explaining it more

The professor clarified the complex concept by giving real-life examples.

to explain or resolve confusion, making something easier to understand or less ambiguous

The professor took the time to clear up any misunderstandings about the assignment during office hours.

to clearly and explicitly explain something

She spelled the instructions out for the team, providing step-by-step details on how to complete the task.

to make something easier or less complex to understand, do, etc.

The teacher simplified the math problem to help the students grasp the concept.

to say the meaning of an expression or word, particularly in a dictionary

The teacher regularly defines unfamiliar words for the students in the class.

to give more information to make the understanding more complete

The author elaborated on the historical context to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the events.

to provide more details, information, or a more comprehensive explanation about a particular topic or idea

Can you please expand on your proposal so that we have a clearer understanding of your ideas?

to give a short and simplified version that covers the main points of something

After reading the lengthy report, she asked her colleague to summarize the main findings for her.

to briefly state the most important parts or facts of something

To save time, the presenter decided to sum the discussion up quickly.

to give a brief description of something excluding the details

Before writing the essay, the student outlined the main ideas to organize the structure.

to express the meaning of something written or spoken with a different choice of words

The student paraphrased the paragraph to demonstrate a clear understanding of the concept.

to represent something in a short and brief manner

In her final remarks, the speaker encapsulated the key themes of the conference.

to give a brief summary, especially by reviewing key points or events

At the end of the meeting, the manager recapped the main decisions and action items.

to clearly define or state specific details, characteristics, or requirements

In the meeting agenda, please specify the topics you'd like to discuss.

to describe a specific subject, scene, person, etc.

The artist’s work often depicts scenes from daily life in a vibrant style.

to describe something or someone through words

The author portrays the protagonist as a courageous and determined individual.

to give details about someone or something to say what they are like

He used metaphors to describe the power of nature in his poem.

the side view or silhouette of a person's face or body

The artist captured her profile perfectly in the sketch.

to show clearly that something is true or exists by providing proof or evidence

The scientist demonstrated the effectiveness of the new drug through a series of experiments.

to explain something thoroughly and with specific information

In the report, the researcher detailed the methodology used in the experiment, ensuring transparency and reproducibility.

to describe the qualities of someone or something in a certain manner

The historian characterized the Renaissance period as a time of cultural rebirth and artistic innovation.