Grammar fix
spell out
explain something very clearly and in detail
to explain something in a very clear and detailed way, often because it is complicated or because someone has not understood it yet.
phrasal verbC1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Could you spell out exactly what you expect from us in this project?
If the rules are not spelled out clearly, students may become confused about what is expected of them.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Do I have to spell out it?
Say: Do I have to spell it out?
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'spell it out'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Spell out' is the everyday verb for explaining something very plainly, step by step.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
spell out + thing
- the details
- the rules
- exactly what
- step by step