Is it "explain to me" or "explain me"

platano says on Mar 15, 2005, 18:10:

It is "explain to me"

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rash9000 says on Mar 15, 2005, 18:12:

are you 100% sure?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rash9000 says on Mar 15, 2005, 18:18:

thank you

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Zepp says on Mar 15, 2005, 18:20:

Yeah its "explain to me" There is no situation in English that you would say "explain me"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rash9000 says on Mar 15, 2005, 18:44:

well, I solved this problem.
Now may be you can help me listing the verbs that use the "to" preposicion ( the ones that you can remember)

Such as,
"Copy you" or "copy to/from you" (in an exam)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Mar 15, 2005, 19:14:

My wife... whose English is excellent STILL says "explain me." Drives me nuts comining from someone who has an advanced degree from the University of Paris. I just smile and explain to her and wait for the next time

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

SiempreHero says on Mar 15, 2005, 19:49:

All the ghetto girls down here in Miami say "explain me", even if they are "native" "English" speakers. It is kind of endearing in its own little way. I guess it is spanglish passed on by those bi-cultural folks. Seems like it is in such common usage, maybe it will become "officially" accepted. English is a living language after all.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ARMacleod says on Mar 15, 2005, 23:25:

Spanglish? Simply, "Explain me"? You are asking a person to explain exactly that, 'you' You, are the subject of the question. The answer could be; "You appear to me to be ,happy, sad, Latino, confused" etc.

"Explain 'to' me? You are asking a person to explain the third party or thing. You may have made a statement that was not fully understood, or, for example, an initial question. "Is it, explain to me, or, explain me"?

You on the other hand could ask Kerry . He seems to have such excellent command of the Queens English. His dialect is generally called ‘Gibberish speak' here in England.


Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Albatross says on Mar 16, 2005, 04:06:

. Actually, it's "Lucy, you've got some 'splaining to do..."

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

0 funny, 0 helpful.

stevens says on Mar 16, 2005, 08:14:

1 - Explain to me why you were late.
Tell me why you were late.

2 - Could you please explain the answer to this math problem?
Please tell me how you got this answer.

3 - Explain yourself right now!
- Explain why you have done such a stupid or unthoughtful thing.
You are in deep s**t. You've screwed up and have to come up with an explanation but I don't think I'm going to accept it.

4 - I can explain myself.
I have an excuse for my seemingly unacceptable behavior.

5 - I need to explain 'me'.
this should ony be used by full-of-themsleves Hollywood actors who refer to themselves in the third person, or authors of touchy-feely self-help books.

The Thorntree's Speaking in Tongues at www.lonelyplanet.com is an excellent place to get knowledgeable answers to language questions. there never seems to be a shortage of helpful posters.

0 funny, 0 helpful.