I explained it to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I explained it to him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where you provided clarification or information to someone, specifically a male individual. Example: "After the meeting, I explained it to him so he could understand the project better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I explained it to him, and he made it happen".

The New York Times

Afterward, we got a letter from the father, asking about our decision, and I explained it to him.

The New York Times

I explained it to him but he is a clever lad and understands that when you are on a yellow you can't make those kind of challenges".

BBC

My own four-year-old son asked "What that big fire thing was in the end" and I explained it to him in terms of Dantean visions of Hellfire through the ages and the banality of existence when compared to the horrors that await us in the holocaust of endless entropy.

TechCrunch

When I explained it to him, he got that it was a thing and had no moral objection to it, but he couldn't wrap his head around it.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sometimes I have to look it up because I don't know the answer but I explain it to him, then he's happy".

Independent

"What do you tell your 9-year-old boy it stands for?" "I explain it to him in an age-appropriate way".

The New York Times - Sports

"So, I explained it to them.

Unicef

"I feel like there's something you're not telling me," I said, wondering about why he was badgering me about this issue after I had explained it to him the best that I could.

Vice

Mr. Felton said that, as a result, "I called Glenn Valle, explained it to him, and said I'm getting tired of the harassment, and tell them it's got to stop, because I'm on the verge of going down to the court and getting a warrant against O'Byrne for harassment".

The New York Times

No one had explained it to him.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I explained it to him" when the recipient required a detailed or simplified understanding of a topic. It suggests a need for clarification.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying excessively on "I explained it to him" can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, vary your language with synonyms like "I detailed it to him" or "I clarified it for him" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I explained it to him" functions as a statement where the speaker is conveying that they provided an explanation to a male individual. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples provide context showing how it is used in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I explained it to him" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to convey that the speaker provided an explanation to a male individual, often to clarify a topic or situation. While the phrase maintains a generally neutral tone, it's advisable to incorporate synonyms in formal writing to avoid repetition. Common contexts include news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. Be sure to provide sufficient context to make clear what "it" refers to and consider the audience when choosing between this and more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I clarified it for him

Uses "clarified" instead of "explained", implying a more focused and simplified explanation.

I elucidated it to him

Replaces "explained" with "elucidated", suggesting a more detailed and comprehensive explanation.

I detailed it to him

Uses "detailed" instead of "explained", indicating a focus on providing specific information.

I walked him through it

Employs "walked him through it", conveying a step-by-step explanation.

I broke it down for him

Utilizes "broke it down", implying simplification of complex information.

I spelled it out for him

Replaces with "spelled it out", meaning a simple and direct explanation, leaving no room for ambiguity.

I gave him an explanation of it

Reformulates the sentence to emphasize the act of giving an explanation.

I made it clear to him

Focuses on the outcome of the explanation being clear to the recipient.

I informed him about it

Uses "informed" instead of "explained", indicating a general conveyance of information.

I communicated it to him

Employs "communicated", focusing on the act of conveying the information.

FAQs

What does "I explained it to him" mean?

The phrase "I explained it to him" means that the speaker provided an explanation or clarification of something to a male individual, helping him understand it better.

What can I say instead of "I explained it to him"?

You can use alternatives like "I clarified it for him", "I detailed it to him", or "I walked him through it" depending on the context and the level of detail in your explanation.

How do I use "I explained it to him" in a sentence?

Use "I explained it to him" when you want to convey that you provided someone with a clear understanding of something. For example, "The project was complex, so I explained it to him in simple terms."

Is "I explained it to him" formal or informal?

"I explained it to him" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "I elucidated it to him" for a more sophisticated tone.