key term - Explain

Definition

To explain means to make something clear or understandable by providing detailed information and reasoning. This process involves breaking down complex ideas into simpler components, helping others grasp the underlying concepts and relationships between different elements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In reported speech, the verb tense usually shifts back one step, meaning present becomes past, past becomes past perfect, and so on.
2. When using reported speech, pronouns and time expressions often change to reflect the perspective of the speaker at the time of reporting.
3. Sequence of tenses is essential for maintaining clarity in writing, as it ensures that the timing of events is understood correctly.
4. Certain verbs like 'say' and 'tell' are commonly used in reported speech to introduce what someone else has said.
5. In direct speech, quotation marks are used, while in reported speech, they are not, which can lead to different interpretations.

Review Questions

• How does explaining the sequence of tenses enhance the understanding of reported speech?
  • Explaining the sequence of tenses is crucial because it shows how the timing of one event affects another when reporting speech. For example, if someone said something in the present, it typically shifts to past tense when reported. This connection helps in understanding how events relate temporally and ensures that the message retains its intended meaning during conversion from direct to reported speech.
• Discuss how changes in pronouns and time expressions during explanation impact the clarity of reported speech.
  • When explaining changes in pronouns and time expressions in reported speech, it becomes clear how these adjustments contribute to the overall clarity of communication. For instance, changing 'I' to 'he' when reporting someone’s words helps listeners understand who is being referred to. Similarly, altering time expressions such as 'now' to 'then' provides context about when the original statement was made. This careful attention to detail is essential for accurate interpretation.
• Evaluate the implications of incorrect tense sequences when explaining a passage using reported speech.
  • Incorrect tense sequences can significantly distort the meaning of a passage when using reported speech. For instance, if a present tense statement is inaccurately reported in present tense instead of shifting to past tense, it can mislead readers about the timing and relevance of the original statement. Evaluating such implications underscores the importance of mastering sequence of tenses and ensuring that explanations are not just grammatically correct but also contextually accurate, preserving the integrity of communication.

Related terms

Clarify: To make a statement or situation less confusing and more comprehensible.

Elucidate: To provide an explanation that makes something clear or easier to understand, often through examples.

Interpret: To explain the meaning of something, often involving personal understanding or context.