Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar
Reload this Page Explain
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


Explain

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old May 20, 2010, 12:25 PM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Explain
Do you prefer saying:

Explain to somebody something

or

Explain something to somebody?

Or it doesn't matter?

Forgive me so many questions, I have an exam next week.

Thanks.
Last edited by irmamar; May 20, 2010 at 12:36 PM.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old May 20, 2010, 12:50 PM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Do you prefer saying:

Explain to somebody something

or

Explain something to somebody?

Or it doesn't matter?

Forgive me so many questions, I have an exam next week.

Thanks.
Creo que es lo mismo y también creo que sería mejor:

Explaining something to somebody.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old May 20, 2010, 12:56 PM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,813
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Do you prefer saying:

Explain to somebody something

or

Explain something to somebody?

Or it doesn't matter?

Forgive me so many questions, I have an exam next week.

Thanks.
Explain something to somebody.
or Explain somebody something (notice that in this case we leave out the word to in the second example
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old May 20, 2010, 12:58 PM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
Explain something to somebody.
or Explain somebody something (notice that in this case we leave out the word to in the second example

oops, yes, sorry...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old May 20, 2010, 01:12 PM
hermit hermit is offline
Emerald
  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: scotsburn, nova scotia
Posts: 617
Native Language: english
hermit is on a distinguished road
Best to ask all the questions before the exam, right?

Feel free...
__________________
"Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long."
miguel de cervantes saavedra
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old May 20, 2010, 02:18 PM
CrOtALiTo's Avatar
CrOtALiTo CrOtALiTo is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Mérida, Yucatán
Posts: 11,686
Native Language: I can understand Spanish and English
CrOtALiTo is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Do you prefer saying:

Explain to somebody something

or

Explain something to somebody?

Or it doesn't matter?

Forgive me so many questions, I have an exam next week.

Thanks.
I prefer the the second choice.

I don't know it could be also correct in the English.
__________________
We are building the most important dare for my life and my family feature now we are installing new services in telecoms.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old May 21, 2010, 02:54 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
Explain something to somebody.
or Explain somebody something (notice that in this case we leave out the word to in the second example
I think Irma is learning specifically BrE, in which case that second one is definitely not something she should use.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old May 21, 2010, 04:38 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
I think Irma is learning specifically BrE, in which case that second one is definitely not something she should use.
Shouldn't I? Why? I've been taught that I can say both "tell me something" or "tell something to me", although the first one is more common.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old May 21, 2010, 04:46 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Shouldn't I? Why? I've been taught that I can say both "tell me something" or "tell something to me", although the first one is more common.
Yes, yes. You can say "tell me something" but you would never say "explain me something".
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old May 21, 2010, 04:53 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
Yes, yes. You can say "tell me something" but you would never say "explain me something".
glups...

explain to me, then? neither?
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
can anyone explain this verb for me ?? pogo Grammar 4 May 19, 2006 12:27 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:28 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Contact Us - Tomisimo Home - Archive - - Terms of Service - Top
X