Let me explain vs Let me tell you why

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Let me explain

Let me tell you why

Top 2,000 (common)
 Let me explainLet me tell you why
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //lɛt mi tɛl ju waɪ//🇺🇸 //lɛt mi tɛl ju waɪ//
MeaningHow I explain something to you.
Example-Let me tell you why the project is important.
Register-Neutral
How common-Top 2,000 (common)
Collocations-Let me tell you why it works, Let me tell you why this happened, Let me tell you why I think so
Common mistakes-Using 'let me tell you' without finishing the sentence., Forgetting to pause before explaining., Incorrectly using it in very formal writing.
Usage notes-Use this phrase to introduce an explanation. It's generally conversational and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

See it in real clips

Let me explain
Let me tell you why

Frequently asked questions: Let me explain vs Let me tell you why

What's the difference between Let me explain and Let me tell you why?

Let me explain: Let me tell you why: How I explain something to you.

Can I use Let me explain and Let me tell you why interchangeably?

Not always. Let me explain and Let me tell you why are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.