explain the rules

Meaning

To make the guidelines, laws, or instructions of a game, activity, or system clear to others so they know what they can and cannot do.

Examples

• Before we start playing, let me explain the rules.

  Before we start playing, let me explain the rules.

• The teacher had to explain the rules of the classroom on the first day.

  The teacher had to explain the rules of the classroom on the first day.

• Could you explain the rules of this board game again?

  Could you explain the rules of this board game again?

• It is important to explain the rules clearly so everyone plays fairly.

  It is important to explain the rules clearly so everyone plays fairly.

• She used a simple diagram to explain the rules of soccer.

  She used a simple diagram to explain the rules of soccer.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Explain me the rules.

  ✓ Explain the rules to me.

  The verb 'explain' requires the preposition 'to' before the person receiving the explanation.

• ✗ He explained the rules for us.

  ✓ He explained the rules to us.

  While 'for us' is sometimes used to mean 'on our behalf,' 'to us' is the correct preposition when making information clear to an audience.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I don't know how to play this game, can you ___?

  💡 Make the guidelines of the game clear.

  Show answer

  explain the rules

• The referee had to ___ to the players before the match.

  💡 Inform the players of the guidelines.

  Show answer

  explain the rules