Reiko's guestbook question of May 29, 2000 about word order:

How are you? I've been enjoying this homepage a lot.

Thanks!

"I wonder if I can ask you a question which is not about the TIME's article.- about the use of 'explain'

(*) I'll explain to you how to use this machine.

To correct this sentence,I have to put 'to' before 'you', like,,, I'll explain to you how to use this machine. but, how about the sentence below ?

I'll explain how to use this machine to you.(?)

Both of the sentences you have offered using "explain to" sound perfectly natural--the only difference seems to be one of emphasis. In you first example ("I'll explain to you how to use this machine.") the speaker seems to be emphasizing who she or he is going to explain this information to. In the second sentence ("I'll explain how to use this machine to you.") the speaker seems to be emphasizing the explanation, not the receiver of the information.

The word order of sentences is flexible, and that flexibility allows us to emphasize one point or another while giving several bits of information about a topic. Generally--but not always--the information near the front of a sentence will carry more weight than that near the end of a sentence.

Here's a simple example with a word order change that involves the subject:

1) I went to the store with Yoshi.

2) Yoshi and I went to the store.

Putting Yoshi at the front of the second sentence makes him part of the subject, and that makes him much more "important" in the sentence.

If I use phrases similar to those in your sentences, the possibilities include the following:

1) When I finish work I'm going to the store.

2) I'm going to the store when I finish work.

In the second example, the time when the speaker is going to the store seems to me to be de-emphasized.

I hope these comments are helpful.