detailed how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detailed how" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of explaining something in detail, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "The report detailed how the project was executed, providing insights into each phase of development."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It has not detailed how their technologies will be incorporated.

The Guardian - Tech

Notes detailed how she had settled her affairs.

The New York Times

But no one detailed how those stilettos named for a dagger would irreversibly cripple me.

The New Yorker

A multi-coloured chart detailed how the 22 principals would be juggled between locations.

The Guardian - Film

Neither Mr. Bush nor aides detailed how they would parcel out the new spending.

The New York Times

The Times series detailed how the death rate at the homes often climbed in the summer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Write an article detailing how doctors utilize databases.

The New York Times

An adequate explanation involves detailing how growth occurs.

SEP

We have provided a reference detailing how this was done.

F1000Research

But in 2012 WADOE published a document detailing how much fish Washingtonians actually eat.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Describes in detail how the computer works.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you mean to convey a thorough description of a process, consider rephrasing using verbs like "illustrated", "specified" or "outlined" which provide a similar detailed explanation but adhere to standard English grammar.

Common error

Avoid using the concise but grammatically questionable phrase "detailed how". Although it may seem efficient, it undermines the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detailed how" functions as a connector linking a description to a process or method. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not grammatically sound. Instead, alternatives like "explained in detail how" provide a clearer connection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While frequently used across various sources, including news and science, the phrase "detailed how" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI underscores this point, advising against its use in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer, grammatically sound alternatives like "explained in detail how" or "described how". These alternatives not only enhance clarity but also maintain a professional tone, crucial for effective communication. Remember that while conciseness is valuable, grammatical accuracy should always take precedence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explained in detail how

This alternative replaces "detailed" with "explained in detail", offering a more grammatically sound and descriptive alternative.

described in detail how

Similar to the previous, this version replaces "detailed" with "described in detail" offering enhanced clarity and standard grammar.

provided a detailed explanation of how

Replaces "detailed" with "provided a detailed explanation", improving grammatical correctness.

specified how

This version uses "specified" to indicate a detailed explanation of a process or method.

thoroughly explained how

This alternative emphasizes the completeness of the explanation.

gave a detailed description of how

This option offers a more verbose but grammatically correct construction.

illustrated how

This alternative uses "illustrated" to suggest a visual or clear explanation.

outlined how

This suggests a summarized explanation, providing the main points.

presented a detailed account of how

This is a more formal version that emphasizes a comprehensive description.

related how

This alternative focuses on narrating or telling the sequence of events, emphasizing the storytelling aspect of the explanation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "detailed how" that are grammatically correct?

You can use alternatives like "explained in detail how", "described how", or "specified how" depending on the context.

Is "detailed how" considered formal or informal language?

Given its grammatical ambiguity, "detailed how" is best avoided in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives in professional or academic contexts.

How can I use "described in detail how" in a sentence?

For example, you could say: "The report "described in detail how" the project was implemented, including all the key steps and challenges encountered."

What's the difference between "detailed how" and "explained how"?

"Explained how" is a grammatically correct phrase that emphasizes the act of making something clear. "Detailed how", while attempting to convey a similar meaning with more emphasis on thoroughness, is not grammatically standard. Always opt for "explained in detail how" or "described how" for better clarity and correctness.