We explained to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We explained to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you provided information or clarification to someone about a particular topic or issue. Example: "We explained to the team the reasons behind the changes in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We explained to them what we heard.

The Guardian

We explained to [protesters] how they could use computers to get out fliers and do things.

MIT Technology Review

"We explained to him why we couldn't buy Ashcroft in 100 years".

The New York Times

"We explained to them what that vision meant in architectural terms," Mr. Lane said.

The New York Times

"We explained to them that this is wrong, not only for the Palestinian track.

The New York Times

"We explained to him why it was so funny and now he really gets it!

Independent

"We explained to them how critical these reports were to the industry," he said.

The New York Times

We explained to him what we were doing and he seemed genuinely interested.

Independent

We explained to him that the first inning, the scoreboard was reading 912 m.p.h., so normally that stuff's out there.

The New York Times - Sports

"We explained to her that the pivotal moment was when the audience first comes in," she said.

The New York Times

We explained to him that home was where we are and that he had a new bed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "We explained to", ensure the recipient and the content of the explanation are clear to provide context and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by always specifying what you explained. For example, instead of just saying "We explained to them", clarify with "We explained to them the new policy" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "We explained to" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of providing a detailed account or clarification to someone. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in various types of writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "We explained to" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate that a detailed explanation has been provided. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify what was explained and to whom, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. If you want to convey a similar meaning, alternatives like "we clarified to" or "we informed" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We clarified to

Replaces "explained" with "clarified", emphasizing making something easier to understand.

We detailed to

Substitutes "explained" with "detailed", focusing on providing comprehensive information.

We informed

Uses "informed" instead of "explained", highlighting the act of giving factual information.

We communicated to

Replaces "explained" with "communicated", emphasizing the act of conveying information.

We conveyed to

Uses "conveyed" instead of "explained", focusing on transmitting a message or information.

We outlined to

Substitutes "explained" with "outlined", emphasizing a structured, high-level overview.

We described to

Replaces "explained" with "described", focusing on giving a detailed account.

We illustrated to

Uses "illustrated" instead of "explained", highlighting the use of examples or visual aids for understanding.

We specified to

Substitutes "explained" with "specified", emphasizing precise details.

We advised

Uses "advised" instead of "explained", focusing on providing guidance or recommendations.

FAQs

How do you use "We explained to" in a sentence?

Use "We explained to" to indicate that you provided information or clarification to someone. For example, "We explained to the team the reasons behind the changes in the project timeline."

What can I say instead of "We explained to"?

You can use alternatives like "we clarified to", "we detailed to", or "we informed" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "We explained to him the situation"?

Yes, the sentence structure "We explained to him the situation" is grammatically correct. You can also structure it as "We explained the situation to him".

What is the difference between "We explained to" and "We informed"?

"We explained to" implies a more detailed and comprehensive account, while "we informed" suggests providing basic or essential information.