They explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to individuals or groups providing clarification or information about a topic. Example: "In their report, they explain the reasons behind the recent changes in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They explain the terminology.

The Guardian - Music

They explain not just effects but causes.

The New Yorker

"They explain the terms of the financing.

The New York Times

"They explain everything really good".

The New York Times

They explain their circumstances, make their apologies.

The Guardian - Opinion

They explain why it's better to recognize effort over achievements.

The New York Times

They explain how it is organised from the top.

The Economist

They explain their loyalty slowly, and not always articulately.

The New Yorker

They explain what it takes.

Forbes

They explain motor learning by modifying these internal models.

Medical Hypotheses

They explain the cause of the fading as follows.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "They explain", ensure that the pronoun 'they' clearly refers to a specific group or individuals previously mentioned to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "They explain" without clearly establishing who 'they' refers to. This can confuse the reader and weaken your argument. Always ensure the antecedent is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "They explain" typically functions as a verb phrase where 'they' is the subject pronoun and 'explain' is the verb. This phrase is used to indicate that a group of people is providing an explanation or clarification about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "They explain" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that a group is providing clarification or reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. The phrase sees frequent usage in news, media, and scientific sources. To ensure clarity, always make sure the pronoun 'they' has a clear and easily identifiable antecedent. While alternatives like "they clarify" and "they elucidate" exist, "They explain" offers a straightforward and widely accepted method for expressing explanations, making it a versatile tool in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They clarify

This alternative maintains a high degree of similarity, focusing on making something easier to understand.

They elucidate

This alternative is more formal, suggesting a detailed explanation that brings light to a complex issue.

They detail

This alternative focuses on providing specific information and particulars about a topic.

They describe

This is a broader term that indicates providing an account or representation of something.

They outline

This suggests providing a summary or a general overview of a topic.

They justify

This implies providing reasons or evidence to support a particular action or decision.

They account for

This focuses on explaining the reasons or causes behind something.

They give reasons for

This directly states the act of providing reasons for something.

They offer an explanation

This emphasizes the offering of a reason or justification.

They provide context

This suggests supplying background information to aid understanding.

FAQs

How to use "They explain" in a sentence?

Use "They explain" when you want to convey that a group or individuals are providing clarification or reasons for something. For instance, "The scientists explain the methodology in detail in their published paper."

What can I say instead of "They explain"?

You can use alternatives like "they clarify", "they elucidate", or "they detail" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "They explain" or "They explains"?

"They explain" is the correct form. The verb 'explain' should be in its base form when used with the plural pronoun 'they'.

What's the difference between "They explain" and "They clarified"?

"They explain" refers to a present action of providing clarification, while "They clarified" refers to a past action where clarification was provided.