word-vault

{ "term": "explain", "partOfSpeech": "verb", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "verbForms": { "presentSimple": { "iYouWeThey": "explain", "heSheIt": "explains" }, "pastSimple": "explained", "pastParticiple": "explained", "ingForm": "explaining" }, "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to tell somebody about something in a way that makes it easy to understand", "sensetop": "explain (something)explain (something) to somebodyexplain that…explain who, how, etc…explain to somebody who, how, etc…+ speechit is explained that…", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "He was trying to **explain the difference** between sarcasm and irony.", "contextForm": "explain (something)" }, { "text": "First, I'll explain the rules of the game." }, { "text": "The theory is not **explained in detail**." }, { "text": "‘Let me explain!’ he added helpfully." }, { "text": "It was difficult to explain the concept to beginners.", "contextForm": "explain (something) to somebody" }, { "text": "I explained that an ambulance would be coming soon.", "contextForm": "explain that…" }, { "text": "He explained who each person in the photo was.", "contextForm": "explain who, how, etc…" }, { "text": "Can you explain how this machine works?" }, { "text": "She explained to the children exactly what to do in an emergency.", "contextForm": "explain to somebody who, how, etc…" }, { "text": "‘It works like this,’ she explained.", "contextForm": "+ speech" }, { "text": "It was explained that attendance was compulsory.", "contextForm": "it is explained that…" }, { "text": "She saw his quick frown and hastened to explain." }, { "text": "I'll explain the system in greater detail next time." }, { "text": "The general principles behind the method used are explained clearly and concisely." }, { "text": "It is a book which seeks to explain the birth of Greek tragedy." }, { "text": "Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause." }, { "text": "I tried to explain the problem to the technician." }, { "text": "She explained the plan to me very carefully." }, { "text": "It's difficult to explain exactly how the system works." }, { "text": "Let me explain what I mean." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["in detail", "fully", "adequately"], "verb + explain": ["be able to", "be unable to", "can"], "preposition": ["about", "to"], "phrases": [ "explain everything", "go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to give a reason, or be a reason, for something", "sensetop": "explain that…explain why, how, etc…explain somethingexplain something to somebody+ speech", "labels": "(informal)", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "I tried to explain but they wouldn't listen." }, { "text": "Alex explained that his car had broken down.", "contextForm": "explain that…" }, { "text": "Well, that doesn't explain why you didn't phone.", "contextForm": "explain why, how, etc…" }, { "text": "Please **explain your reasons**.", "contextForm": "explain something" }, { "text": "Oh well then, that **explains it** *(= I understand now why something happened)*." }, { "text": "The phenomenon is partly **explained by the fact** that global temperatures are rising." }, { "text": "Slow growth in the economy is to be **explained in terms of** a lack of demand." }, { "text": "The government now has to explain its decision to the public.", "contextForm": "explain something to somebody" }, { "text": "‘It was like this,’ she explained.", "contextForm": "+ speech" }, { "text": "You're going to **have some explaining to do** when your parents get home!" }, { "text": "There's no need to explain. We understand." }, { "text": "She was unable to explain her behaviour." }, { "text": "The official explained patiently that our documents were not valid." }, { "text": "scientific findings that help explain the origins of the universe" }, { "text": "I can explain everything! I was just trying to help her with her homework!" }, { "text": "He explained awkwardly that he had not slept at his own home that night." }, { "text": "This partly explains why he was so late." }, { "text": "This goes some way towards explaining the hostility between the two groups." }, { "text": "The reasons for the accident have not been fully explained." }, { "text": "I know I'm late, but I can explain why." }, { "text": "I have a letter here which explains everything." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["in detail", "fully", "adequately"], "verb + explain": ["be able to", "be unable to", "can"], "preposition": ["about", "to"], "phrases": [ "explain everything", "go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to give somebody reasons for your behaviour, especially when they are angry or upset because of it", "examples": [ { "text": "I really don't see why I should have to explain myself to you." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to say what you mean in a clear way", "examples": [ { "text": "Could you explain yourself a little more—I didn't understand." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪn/", "audio": "ex/explain/explain__gb_3.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪnz/", "audio": "ex/explain/explains__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪnd/", "audio": "ex/explain/explained__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/", "audio": "ex/explain/explaining__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪn/", "audio": "ex/explain/explain__us_3.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪnz/", "audio": "ex/explain/explains__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪnd/", "audio": "ex/explain/explained__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/", "audio": "ex/explain/explaining__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "late Middle English: from Latin explanare, based on planus ‘plain’." }