"explain about"

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Magic79

#502064 Fri, 18 Apr 08 02:55 AM

Hi!

I have always thought that the preposition"about" does not follow the verb "explain." However, while reading "The Pillars of the Eearth" novel, I was awestruck to find that combination "explain about" as in:

Alfred said: "Would you explain about the guild to some of the others?" (page 550)

I have googled it and found thousands of hits. I wonder if it is ungrammatical strictly speaking.

My argument is that we explain something NOT explain about something.

Magic79

Joined on Sun, Jul 2 2006

Regular Member (156)

Prepositions, Verbs

Mister Micawber

#502075 Fri, 18 Apr 08 03:52 AM

.
It is a common utterance whose redundancy can be cleared up for careful writing style by omitting about.

.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

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Writing styles

Avangi

#502076 Fri, 18 Apr 08 04:08 AM

Never having been guilty of strictly speaking, I can't properly answer; but I believe we're witnessing the evolution of language. Common usage often forces a change in the rules, and the experts don't always agree on what the rules are at any given time. It was a sad day, but I had to give up being a purist long ago. So what about it? Explaining about something is talking about it with authority.

I've lived to see many rules changed.

Edit. Mr. M's statement covers it perfectly.

It's better not to use it.

Avangi

Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007

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". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

Magic79

#502426 Fri, 18 Apr 08 09:55 PM

Modern linguists believe it's natural that languge changes. Similarly, scientists believe it's natural that if your are not careful with your diet, you get fat.

If we just relax our rules on how we write or speak, the communication between our generation and the future one will break. Shapespeare is slimly understood. Chaucer is completely off throwing. Sadly to say, these are two of the first and greatest English poets.

If we are careful with our speech and writing, and if we follow the rules of good grammar and English, our language of today, should still be understood 400 years later.

Untill we speak and teach our kids the language that is documented and accepted in Standard English, our literary heritage of today will be unfathomable, unrythmical, and at best boring and not beautiful to the future generations. Don't you think there is a good reason that we strive to be purists?

Magic79

Grammar

Grammar Geek

#502427 Fri, 18 Apr 08 09:57 PM

Magic, that is one of my favorite books ever. It's in my Top 5, certainly. Are you enjoying it? The bad guys are SOO bad. I just couldn't wait for something nice to happen to the good guys. And learning how to build a cathedral was very interesting, I thought!

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

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Barbara, who answers in American English.

CalifJim

#502428 Fri, 18 Apr 08 10:04 PM

explain about always strikes me as an abbreviation of explain [a little / something / the basic facts] about.

At least explain about isn't as jarring as discuss about. Smile

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

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"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Abbreviations

Magic79

#502430 Fri, 18 Apr 08 10:21 PM

Thinks Calif! I don't like discuss about either. It's a very common mistake that we EFL speakers make.

Yes, Grammar Geek! It's a great novel. I am enjoying the story. I keep wondering as I read how those great writers are able to keep the story going and developing. Who could have guessed that Tom the Builder would die!!? Or Jack would go to Spain and get schooled at some of the flourishing schools over there at that period.

I have enjoyed De Vanci Code better though, which makes me think that I am a thriller type of reader. The Pillars of the Earth is considered a digression from the thrillers Ken Follet (the author of the novel) usually writes. Yet, it's still a great story despite the slow progress of the events (plot).

Magic79

Grammar