explain him

**Will17** · 27-May-2011, 11:32

Hello!

Can we ever use the verb "to explain" without the preposition "to" after?

E.g: Explain him the situation.

Thank you!
Will

**sunsunmoon** · 27-May-2011, 11:34

Wrong: Explain him the situation.
Correct: Explain the situation to him.

**Tdol** · 27-May-2011, 13:58

It is the kind of thing you will hear people using in colloquial speech, but Sunsunmoon's version is always correct.

**birdeen's call** · 27-May-2011, 17:02

Originally Posted by Tdol

It is the kind of thing you will hear people using in colloquial speech, but Sunsunmoon's version is always correct.

I have never heard a native speaker say anything like "explain him the situation". Is it common?

**Raymott** · 27-May-2011, 17:40

Originally Posted by birdeen's call

I have never heard a native speaker say anything like "explain him the situation". Is it common?

I've also never heard it.

**bhaisahab** · 27-May-2011, 17:51

Originally Posted by Raymott

I've also never heard it.

I have, but more like this "Explain 'im the situation will yer"

Thread: explain him