explain me or explain to me

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stenicola

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Jun 26, 2010
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How is correct?

Please,explain me this sentence.

OR

Please, explain to me this sentence.

Thank you.
 

Offroad

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Hi, welcome to the forums.

We usually explain something to somebody.

If I explain you, I'd be very arrogant, a shrink or something.

[I am not a teacher]
 

Barb_D

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Mar 12, 2007
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The verb "explain" has less flexibility than other verbs.

I can write a letter to you or I write you a letter.
I can cook a nice meal for you, or I can cook you a nice meal.

However, I cannot "explain you the sentence," and even "I will explain to you the sentence" isn't very natural -- "I can explain the sentence to you."
 
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