bothered to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bothered to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether someone took the effort to provide an explanation or clarification about something. Example: "I was surprised that he bothered to explain the complex theory to us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Nobody ever bothered to explain them.

The New York Times - Tech

At least she bothered to explain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Somehow, nobody had bothered to explain it to them.

The New York Times

Usually I can't be bothered to explain this.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Justice Thomas couldn't be bothered to explain himself, at least not in public.

The New York Times

His party has not bothered to explain how it was acquired.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

He often says that America is exceptional, but does not much bother to explain why.

The New Yorker

The analysts seldom bother to explain which variant of accounting each company uses.

The New York Times

"Something needs to be thrown in," he said, again without bothering to explain what that "something" would be.

The New Yorker

It is striking how morally righteous he is, without ever bothering to explain what exactly she has done wrong.

The New York Times

She didn't even bother to explain herself to the board, which turned out to be a fatal lapse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bothered to explain" when you want to emphasize a lack of effort or willingness to clarify something, often implying mild disapproval or surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "bothered to explain" in contexts where you intend to express genuine appreciation for someone's explanation. The phrase often carries a negative connotation, implying the explanation was unexpected or reluctantly given. Consider using "took the time to explain" in neutral or positive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bothered to explain" functions as a verb phrase expressing an action (explaining) and indicating a level of effort or willingness involved. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it often carries a connotation of surprise or reluctance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bothered to explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It carries a connotation of effort, or lack thereof, in providing an explanation. While versatile, writers should be mindful of its potential negative implication and consider alternatives like "took the time to explain" in neutral or positive contexts. The phrase serves to highlight the act of explaining (or not) in relation to the effort exerted by the speaker, and its usage can range from neutral to mildly critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took the trouble to explain

Emphasizes the effort involved in providing an explanation.

made an effort to explain

Highlights the conscious attempt to clarify something.

took the time to explain

Focuses on the time investment in giving an explanation.

troubled to explain

Similar to 'bothered', implying a slight inconvenience was involved.

didn't bother clarifying

Focuses on the lack of effort in making something clearer.

cared to explain

Highlights the presence of caring as motivation to provide the explanation.

saw fit to explain

Suggests the person decided it was appropriate to explain.

deigned to explain

Suggests the person considered explaining to be beneath them, but did it anyway.

didn't feel like explaining

Indicates a lack of desire to provide an explanation.

condescended to explain

Implies the explanation was given from a superior position.

FAQs

What does "bothered to explain" imply?

The phrase "bothered to explain" typically implies that someone made an effort to explain something, often with a hint of surprise that they actually did so, or conversely, that they did not make the effort.

How can I use "bothered to explain" in a sentence?

You can use "bothered to explain" to indicate someone took the time to clarify something, for example, "I was surprised he "bothered to explain" the rules to me."

What are some alternatives to "bothered to explain"?

Alternatives to "bothered to explain" include "took the time to explain", "made an effort to explain", or "troubled to explain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "didn't bother to explain"?

Yes, "didn't bother to explain" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates that someone chose not to make the effort to provide an explanation.