The mistake and the correct phrase
Wrong
“Explain me the process.”
Correct
“Explain the process to me.”
In standard English, we do not usually say 'explain me' when we mean 'help me understand something'. The verb 'explain' normally needs the thing first, then the person with 'to'. So you explain a topic to a person. You can say 'explain the issue to me', 'explain it to me' or 'could you explain this to me?'.
Why Arabic speakers make this mistake
Many Arabic speakers make this mistake because English has verbs like 'tell', 'show' and 'give' that can come directly before 'me': 'tell me', 'show me', 'give me'. It feels natural to follow the same pattern and say 'explain me'. Also, in fast workplace English, the person receiving the explanation feels like the most important part of the sentence, so speakers put 'me' directly after the verb. With 'explain', English needs a different structure: 'explain it to me'.
Use it correctly in real professional situations
Meeting
“Can you explain the reason for the delay to me?”
Email or message
“Could you please explain the next steps to me?”
Interview
“The manager explained the role to me.”
Training session
“Can the trainer explain to us how the system works?”
Client call
“Let me explain our proposal to you.”
Why does this matter in a professional context?
Saying 'explain me' is understandable, and many people will still know what you mean. However, in a professional setting, small grammar mistakes can distract from your message. In a meeting, interview or client call, the listener may notice the phrase instead of focusing fully on your idea. Using 'explain to me' or 'explain it to me' signals accuracy, confidence and control. It helps you sound more natural when asking questions, giving updates or discussing complex topics. The goal is not perfect English. The goal is to make your communication feel clear, polished and easy to follow.
Ready-to-use phrases with 'explain to me'
“Could you explain this to me?”
Use this when you are looking at a document, slide or technical issue.
“Can you explain the process to me?”
Useful when asking about workflow, approvals or company procedures.
“Please explain to me what changed.”
Good for understanding an update, decision or new requirement.
“Let me explain the situation to you.”
Use this when you want to give background or clarify a problem.
“She explained the requirements to the team.”
Useful for reporting what someone said in a meeting.
“I can explain it to you after the call.”
A natural phrase when offering help at work.
What to say instead
What many Arabic speakers say
“Can you explain me this point?”
What to say instead
“Can you explain this point to me?”
Other phrases to double-check
- •Tell me vs say me
- •Discuss the issue vs discuss about the issue
- •Ask me vs ask from me
- •Help me vs help to me
- •Suggest a solution vs suggest me a solution
- •Reply to me vs reply me