Explain to Them vs. Explain Them – Which is Correct?
“Explain to them” is correct when them means the people receiving an explanation: “Explain the rules to them.” “Explain them” can also be grammatical, but only when them means the things being explained: “Explain them clearly.” Use the surrounding context to identify whether them is an indirect or direct object.
Explain to Them or Explain Them – Which Is Correct?
Both “explain to them” and “explain them” can be correct, but they place them in different grammatical roles. In “explain to them,” them refers to the people who receive the explanation. The thing being explained usually appears before the phrase: “Explain the instructions to them.”
In “explain them,” them is the direct object of explain and refers to things, ideas, rules, or problems—not normally people. For example, “The teacher will explain them” means the teacher will explain the rules or concepts previously mentioned. When referring to people, use “explain something to them,” not “explain them.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the people-versus-things test. If them means people, add to: “Explain it to them.” If them means things, you can place it directly after explain: “Explain them.” You can also use the swap test: replace them with the students or the rules. “Explain it to the students” works, while “Explain the students” changes the meaning and usually sounds wrong.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explain to them | Verb phrase | Give an explanation to those people | Please explain the decision to them. |
| Explain them | Verb phrase | Explain things previously mentioned | The guide will explain them in detail. |
How to Use Explain to Them
“Explain to them” is used when them identifies the people who hear, read, or receive an explanation. The subject explains a topic, fact, decision, or process to those people. This construction is standard in both formal and casual English.
The object being explained can appear before to them, as in “Explain the process to them.” It can also be represented by a pronoun: “Explain it to them.” The phrase is especially useful when the audience has already been mentioned.
Example 1: The manager asked me to explain the new policy to them.
Example 2: If they are confused, explain it to them one more time.
Example 3: We need to explain to them why the schedule has changed.
Etymology of the Word Explain
Explain comes from the Latin verb explanare, meaning “to make plain” or “to smooth out.” It entered English through Anglo-French and Middle English. The phrase explain to them combines this verb with the preposition to and the objective pronoun them.
How to Use Explain Them
“Explain them” is grammatically possible when them refers to multiple things, such as ideas, rules, documents, causes, or problems. In this structure, them is the direct object of explain. The things being explained must usually be clear from an earlier sentence or from the surrounding context.
Although “explain them” is valid in the right context, it can sound incomplete if the reader does not know what them represents. When clarity matters, name the objects directly or use “explain them to someone.” Do not use “explain them” to mean “give an explanation to those people.”
Example 1: The instructor will explain them after reviewing the basic principles.
Example 2: These technical terms are difficult, so the glossary helps explain them.
Example 3: The scientist explained them to the research team during the presentation.
Etymology of the Word Explain
The verb explain derives from Latin explanare, “to make clear” or “to make plain.” English uses it both transitively, as in “explain the rules,” and with a prepositional phrase, as in “explain the rules to them.” In “explain them,” the pronoun directly receives the action of the verb.
Related Concepts
Understanding object roles and pronoun use makes the distinction between these two phrases much easier to recognize.
- Direct object: A direct object receives the action of the verb. In “Explain them,” them is a direct object referring to things being explained.
- Indirect object: An indirect object identifies the recipient of an action. In “Explain the rules to them,” them identifies the people receiving the explanation through the preposition to.
- Objective pronouns: Them is the objective form of they. It can refer to people or things, depending on context.
- Transitive verbs: Explain is commonly used with a direct object, such as “explain the answer.” A recipient can then be introduced with to, as in “explain the answer to them.”
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers and speakers use both constructions, depending on whether the pronoun refers to an audience or to the subjects being discussed.
- Historical nonfiction: A narrator may write, “The guide explained the tradition to them,” where them refers to travelers or visitors.
- Science journalism: An article might state, “Researchers are working to explain them,” where them refers to unusual observations or results described earlier.
- Film dialogue: A character may say, “Explain it to them,” when asking another character to clarify a situation for a group of people.
- Instruction manuals: Technical writing may use “The following diagrams explain them,” although “explain these processes” is often clearer when the antecedent is not obvious.
- Fictional courtroom scenes: A lawyer might say, “Please explain the evidence to them,” using them for jurors or listeners.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: explain to them or explain them.
- The counselor will ______ the new procedures to the volunteers.
- The textbook uses diagrams to ______ clearly.
- Could you ______ why the meeting was canceled?
- The instructor will ______ after introducing the three main theories.
- Please ______ the safety instructions before the activity begins.
Answer Key
- explain to them — Them refers to the volunteers receiving the explanation.
- explain them — Them refers to the procedures or concepts represented by the diagrams.
- explain to them — Them refers to people who need the reason explained.
- explain them — Them refers to the theories.
- explain to them — Them refers to people receiving the instructions.
Explain to Them Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clarify it for them | Make something easier for them to understand |
| Describe it to them | Give them details about something |
| Inform them about it | Provide them with relevant information |
| Make it clear to them | Remove confusion for them |
Explain Them Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clarify them | Make the ideas or issues easier to understand |
| Interpret them | Give the meaning of statements, symbols, or evidence |
| Account for them | Provide a reason for events or results |
| Elaborate on them | Add more details about previously mentioned subjects |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “explain to them” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Explain to them” is correct when them refers to the people receiving an explanation. For example, “Explain the new process to them.”
Question 2: Is “explain them” always wrong?
No. “Explain them” is correct when them refers to multiple things, ideas, rules, or problems. For example, “The teacher will explain them tomorrow.” However, it is incorrect if you mean “explain something to those people.”
Question 3: Should I say “explain it to them” or “explain them”?
Use “explain it to them” when it is the thing being explained and them is the audience. Use “explain them” only when them itself refers to the things being explained.
Question 4: Can “them” refer to things in “explain to them”?
Yes, grammatically, them can refer to people or things. However, “explain to them” most commonly identifies people as the recipients. When referring to things, “explain them” or “explain them to the class” may be more natural.
Conclusion
Both “explain to them” and “explain them” are valid, but they do not mean the same thing. Use “explain to them” when them means the people receiving information. Use “explain them” when them means the things being explained. Pro Tip: Choosing the precise construction improves clarity and protects your professional reputation in emails, reports, and presentations.
