We use the verbexplainto mean ‘make something clear or easy to understand, by describing or giving information about it’.
We can useexplainwith a direct object or with a direct object and a prepositional phrase withto(direct objects are underlined):
Could youexplainthis diagram, please?
Can youexplainthe routeto me?
Not:Can you explain me the route?
Weexplainedthe situationto the team.
Not:We explained the team the situation.
We don’t use the indirect + direct object construction withexplain:
Would you pleaseexplainthese numbers to me?
Not:Would you please explain me these numbers?
We don’t useexplainto mean ‘describe’.Describemeans ‘say or write what someone or something is like’. If we explain something, we give a reason for it or say how it works:
Todescribemyself, I am very honest and a workaholic.
Not:To explain myself…