PEOPLE CAN'T BE EXPLAINED
There’s a mistake here:
“I don’t understand this. Can you explain me?”
This is correct:
“I don’t understand this. Can you explain it to me”
Do NOT put people right after “explain.”
…explain me…
…explain you…
…explain him…
There can be a “to” between “explain” and people.
…explain TO me…
…explain TO you…
…explain TO him…
Then you end the sentence with a question word (how / why / what) noun clause.
…explain TO me…WHAT is going on.
…explain TO you…WHY it is not working.
…explain TO him…HOW to get there.
“Please explain + to me + what is going on.”
“I can explain + to you + why it is not working.”
“She explained + to him + how to get there.”
Or end the sentence with a THAT clause.
…explain TO them…THAT their flight will be delayed.
“The pilot explained + to the passengers + that their flight would be delayed at least an hour.”
Again, don’t put “explain” + people:
“explain me”
Sometimes you can put THE EXPLAINED THING and “to” between them if it is just a few words (usually 1-3 words).
…explain + IT + to me.
…explain + THIS + to you.
…explain + THE ASSIGNMENT + to him.
“Please explain + it + to me.”
“Do you need me to explain + this + to you?”
“The professor didn’t do a very good job explaining + the assignment + to his students.”
You can EXPLAIN to PEOPLE why something is true.
You can EXPLAIN to PEOPLE that something is true.
You can EXPLAIN something to PEOPLE.
But you cannot EXPLAIN PEOPLE.
I hope this was helpful!
-Graham