I explained with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I explained with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks clarity and specificity in conveying the intended meaning. Example: "I explained with a diagram how the process works."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I explained, with anger rising in my voice, that Virginia had not enlightened me.

The New York Times

I've just been to see Antonioni for Blow-Up, and he's offered me a part, I explained, with great excitement.

The Guardian - Film

I am coming from morning bible study," I explained with bloodshot red eyes and exasperation.

Huffington Post

"I am thinking about what to write," I explained with a level of patience I wasn't necessarily feeling.

Huffington Post

When I asked if the penises in the photos were hard, she said, "What's that mean?" I explained with my pointer finger that a penis could either flop down or point straight out.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

My three children Isabella, 10, Sam, eight, and Ted, five, meanwhile, seem surprised when I explain with calm authority that TV time is over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's those words that stand in for proper names or nouns -- like he, she, it and they," I explain, with the fervor of a proslytizer in my eyes, while people edge away from me and fake important phone calls.

Huffington Post

He quizzed me on what I could offer to the problem and I explained that with access to mortality and crash data from the Sacramento County Coroner and the California Highway Patrol, respectively, epidemiologic analyses were possible but, I would need some funding.

Injury Epidemiology

As Ricamora (who currently stars in the Broadway show The King and I) explained, he works with Viola Davis on TV's How to Get Away with Murder.

Huffington Post

I explained what living with ichthyosis means for me.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I explained the problem with this question a while ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more precise verbs like "demonstrated", "illustrated", or "clarified" followed by "using" or "through" to make your explanations clearer and more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "I explained with" because it creates a weak connection between the explanation and the method. Instead, specify how you conveyed the explanation by saying "I explained using a diagram" or "I explained through an example".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I explained with" functions as a verb phrase where "explained" is the main verb, and "with" introduces an element used in the explanation. Ludwig AI notes that this construction is considered grammatically questionable and can be improved by using alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I explained with" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as not being standard written English. It's generally more effective and grammatically sound to use alternatives such as "I explained using" or "I explained through" to provide clearer and more precise explanations. Considering the grammatical status, it's best to use more accurate alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I explained using

Replaces "with" to specify the method or tool used in the explanation.

I explained through

Indicates the medium or channel by which the explanation was conveyed.

I conveyed my explanation by

Focuses on the act of conveying an explanation, emphasizing the method used.

I clarified with

Highlights the act of making something clearer, using a specific element.

I elucidated by

Emphasizes making something clear and comprehensible by means of something.

I detailed with

Focuses on providing specific details to support the explanation.

I described using

Highlights the act of describing, specifying the tool or method used.

I illustrated through

Emphasizes the use of illustration to convey the explanation.

I demonstrated by

Focuses on showing how something works through demonstration.

I communicated using

Highlights the use of communication to convey information, specifying the method used.

FAQs

What are alternatives to "I explained with"?

You can use alternatives like "I explained using", "I explained through", or "I clarified with" to provide a more precise description of how you explained something.

Is "I explained with" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "I explained with" is sometimes used, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "I explained using" or "I explained through" for clarity.

How can I use "explained" more effectively in a sentence?

To use "explained" more effectively, specify the method or tool you used to explain something. For example, "I explained the concept using a diagram" is clearer than "I explained with a diagram".

What's the difference between "I explained with" and "I explained using"?

"I explained using" is generally preferred over "I explained with" because it directly connects the explanation to the method employed. The phrase "I explained using" clearly shows what you used to convey your explanation.