Explain vs. Justify — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 29, 2024
Explain involves clarifying or making something understandable through detailed information; justify means proving something to be right or reasonable.
Difference Between Explain and Justify
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To explain is to describe or clarify something with the intention of making it understandable. It involves breaking down information into simpler terms or providing details that illuminate a topic. Justify, on the other hand, means providing reasons or arguments to show that something is reasonable or necessary, often in a context where the action or idea is being questioned.
When someone explains, they do not necessarily defend or promote the subject; their main goal is to increase understanding. Whereas to justify something typically involves defending an action or belief, particularly in response to criticism or skepticism.
An explanation can be used in a variety of contexts, from educational settings to everyday conversation, and it does not imply a bias or a need to persuade. On the other hand, justification is often used in arguments or discussions where the legitimacy of a position or action is at stake.
Explaining is a neutral activity that doesn’t assume the content is disputed or controversial. Justifying, however, assumes a degree of opposition or disbelief, and aims to overcome that by arguing for the legitimacy or necessity of the case.
The process of explaining might involve examples, illustrations, and analogies to make the content clear. Justify typically requires logical reasoning, evidence, and sometimes ethical or moral considerations to support a position or decision.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To make information clear or to clarify how something works
To demonstrate correctness or necessity
Assumption of Context
Neutral, informational
Defensive, often in response to criticism or skepticism
Methodology
Utilizes descriptions, examples, and analogies
Employs arguments, evidence, and rationalization
Tone
Informative, educational
Argumentative, persuasive
Outcome
Increased understanding
Acceptance of a concept or action as reasonable or needed
Compare with Definitions
Explain
To make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail.
She explained the rules of the game to the new players.
Justify
To be a good or moral reason for.
Nothing can justify the mistreatment of prisoners.
Explain
To be the cause of or motivating factor for something.
His tardiness was explained by the heavy traffic.
Justify
To show or prove to be right or reasonable.
The manager had to justify the team's expenses to the finance department.
Explain
To provide an answer or understanding.
Can you explain why this decision was made?
Justify
To provide a good reason for the actions of (oneself or someone else).
He justified his late arrival by showing the series of urgent emails he had received.
Explain
To analyze and describe the meaning or significance of.
The professor explained the symbolism in the poem during the lecture.
Justify
To adjust the spacing in text so that the lines are of equal width.
She justified the text of the document to improve its appearance.
Explain
To account for (something) by giving a reason as to why it is so.
The scientist explained the phenomenon as a natural consequence of the environmental changes.
Justify
Adjust the spaces between words;
Justify the margins
Explain
Make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts
He explained the situation
‘It's a device of great age,’ the professor explained
They explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals
Justify
To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid
Justified each budgetary expense as necessary.
Anger that is justified by the circumstances.
Explain
To make plain or comprehensible.
Justify
To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used of God.
Explain
To define; expound
We explained our plan to the committee.
Justify
To demonstrate sufficient legal reason for (an action taken).
Explain
To offer reasons for or a cause of; justify
Explain an error.
Justify
To prove to be qualified as a bondsman.
Explain
To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself).
Justify
To format (a paragraph, for example) so that the lines of text begin and end evenly at a straight margin.
Explain
To make something plain or comprehensible
Let me explain.
Justify
(transitive) To provide an acceptable explanation for.
How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.
Explain
To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
She is about to explain a chapter of the Bible to the Sunday School students.
She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.
Justify
(transitive) To be a good, acceptable reason for; warrant.
Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
Explain
To give a valid excuse for past behavior.
Justify
(transitive) To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
The text will look better justified.
Explain
(obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.
Justify
(transitive) To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.
Explain
(obsolete) To unfold or make visible.
Justify
(reflexive) To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.
She felt no need to justify herself for deciding not to invite him.
Explain
(intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.
Justify
To prove; to ratify; to confirm.
Explain
To flatten; to spread out; to unfold; to expand.
The horse-chestnut is . . . ready to explain its leaf.
Justify
(legal) To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a charge or accusation.
Explain
To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound; to unfold and illustrate the meaning of; as, to explain a chapter of the Bible.
Commentators to explain the difficult passages to you.
Justify
(legal) To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.
Explain
To give an explanation.
Justify
To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety, or duty.
That to the height of this great argumentI may assert eternal providence,And justify the ways of God to men.
Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify revolution, it would not justify the evil of breaking up a government.
Explain
Make palin and comprehensible;
He explained the laws of physics to his students
Justify
To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to absolve; to exonerate; to clear.
I can not justify whom the law condemns.
Explain
Define;
The committe explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean
Justify
To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to exculpate; to absolve.
By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Explain
Serve as a reason or cause or justification of;
Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
Her recent divorce amy explain her reluctance to date again
Justify
To prove; to ratify; to confirm.
Justify
To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper spacing; to align (text) at the left (left justify) or right (right justify) margins of a column or page, or at both margins; to adjust, as type. See Justification, 4.
Justify
To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a charge or accusation.
The production of bail in court, who there justify themselves against the exception of the plaintiff.
Justify
To form an even surface or true line with something else; to fit exactly.
Justify
To take oath to the ownership of property sufficient to qualify one's self as bail or surety.
Justify
Show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for;
The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns
The end justifies the means
Justify
Show to be right by providing justification or proof;
Vindicate a claim
Justify
Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning;
Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior
He rationalized his lack of success
Justify
Let off the hook;
I absolve you from this responsibility
Common Curiosities
Why is explaining important in teaching?
Explaining is crucial in teaching as it helps students understand new concepts clearly and effectively.
What is the primary goal of justification?
The primary goal of justification is to prove that something is right or reasonable.
Can explanations be subjective?
Explanations can sometimes include personal viewpoints, but they generally aim to be objective and informative.
What does it mean to explain something?
Explaining means describing or clarifying something to increase understanding.
Is justifying always related to arguments?
Justifying often occurs in the context of arguments or debates where actions or ideas are defended.
What makes a good explanation?
A good explanation is clear, detailed, and understandable, often enriched with examples and analogies.
What kind of evidence is needed to justify something?
Justifying something typically requires factual, logical, or anecdotal evidence.
Why might someone fail to justify their actions?
Someone might fail to justify their actions if they lack sufficient evidence or rational basis for their decisions.
Can justify and explain be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap in casual use, they are not interchangeable as they serve different purposes.
How does one effectively justify a decision?
Effectively justifying a decision involves presenting logical reasons, evidence, and sometimes ethical considerations.
Are justifications always truthful?
Justifications may not always be truthful; they can be biased or based on flawed reasoning.
How does culture influence explanations?
Cultural contexts can influence the content and style of explanations, as different values and knowledge systems play a role.
Can legal decisions always be justified?
Legal decisions should ideally be justified by law and evidence, but they can be subject to interpretation and controversy.
How does one learn to explain better?
Learning to explain better involves practice, understanding the audience, and using clear, simple language.
How do explanations aid in problem-solving?
Explanations aid in problem-solving by clarifying the issues and detailing processes or solutions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
