On Explaining
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- Explaining Synonyms
Synonyms: explain, elucidate, explicate, interpret, construe These verbs mean to make the nature or meaning of something understandable. Explain is the most widely applicable: The professor used a diagram to explain the theory of continental drift.
- Explanation: 1 n the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible “I heard his explanation of the accident” Types: elucidation an act of explaining that serves to clear up and cast light on explication the act of making clear or removing obscurity from the meaning of a word or symbol or expression etc. Type of: speech act the use.
- Jesus, religious leader revered in Christianity. He is regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. He is said to have been killed by crucifixion outside of Jerusalem about 30 CE, resurrected three days later, and thereafter ascended to heaven.
Explaining Definition
contextual definitionVideos On Explaining Menstruation For Girls
reconstructionExplaining Dui On Job Application
popularisation, popularizationHe told us his theory and went on to explain the details.
A question from Petr Kolin in the Czech Republic:
Hello, I have one question about using a phrasal verb 'go on'. Which sentence is correct?
a) She told us her theory and went on to explain the details.
b) She told us her theory and went on explaining the details.
Thank you for your help.
Amy Lightfoot answers:
Youtube Video On Explaining The Lord's Prayer
Hello Petr. Thanks for your interesting question. Well, I’m afraid the answer to this is that both sentences could be correct depending on the context they are used in. The reason for this is that technically, you could use the second verb 'explain' in either the infinitive form ('to explain' – as in sentence a) or the –ing form ('explaining' - as in sentence b). The phrasal verb 'to go on' works with both patterns. You can contrast this with other verbs, such as 'to miss' which only goes with one pattern: the –ing form.
For example:
Jessica missed meeting up with her friends. (1st verb + -ing form)
Here, you can’t substitute 'meeting up' with 'to meet' here, it’s just grammatically incorrect. However, other verbs and phrasal verbs, like 'go on' from your example, are more flexible and can be followed by more than one type. Watch out though, you have to be careful! When you change the verb form of the second verb you also change the meaning of the sentence. Let’s go back to your examples.
a) She told us her theory and went on to explain the details.
b) She told us her theory and went on explaining the details.
In example (a) we have 'went on to explain' – this uses the infinitive form of the second verb 'explain'. The meaning here is quite clear: first she told us her theory and then she explained the details. The second sentence is a bit more difficult as it suggests that there has been an interruption which, to make this sentence make sense, would need to be mentioned in the sentences spoken or written before your example.
Have a listen:
She had just started telling us how to do the experiment when Bill asked why all the chemicals had disappeared from the lab. She told us her theory and went on explaining the details [of the experiment].
As you can see, I’ve add a little bit at the end to remind the listener/reader what the 'details' refer to.
Verb patterns are one of the hardest things for learners of English to master so don't worry if you find these changes in meaning complicated – they are! Unfortunately, there isn’t a set formula for how the different forms affect meaning, it's really just a case of watching and listening out for examples and learning the meaning through how they're used, as we have done here. I hope this answers your question – thanks again for writing in.
About Amy Lightfoot
Amy Lightfoot started out doing a degree in psychology in 1995 and quickly became interested in the processes involved in learning languages. She now has a Trinity CertTESOL, DELTA and MA in English Language Teaching. She has taught English and worked on teacher training projects in the UK, Portugal, India, Afghanistan and Bhutan. She is currently working as a freelance materials writer and language trainer in Somerset, England.
Video On Explaining The Periodic Table
