0

Do you say: "Can you explain me how you will do that?" or "Can you explain me how will you do that?"

Thanks for clarifying.

Improve this question
2
  • I'd say "Can you explain to me how..."
    – KillingTime
    Commented Mar 19, 2021 at 10:01
  • It can't be "explain me" becasue 'me' is intended to be the recipient of the action of explanation and 'how you will do that" is what will be explained. The verb "explain" in this case has two objects, a direct one (what will be explained) and an indrect one (the person to whom the explanation will be given). The indrect object is indicated by being in the 'dative case' which, in English, is constructed by placing the preposition 'to' in front of it.
    – BoldBen
    Commented Mar 19, 2021 at 12:16

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

[1] Can you explain to me [how you will do that]?

[2] Can you explain to me [how will you do that]?

Preliminary points: there are no objects, either direct or indirect, and "me" should be replaced by the preposition phrase "to me".

The bracketed elements are subordinate interrogative clauses (embedded questions) functioning as complement of "explain". Such clauses don't normally have subject-auxiliary inversion, so [1] is correct.

The meaning is "Can you explain to me the answer to the question 'How will you do that?'"

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .