explained about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explained about" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would be simply "explained" without the preposition "about." Example: "She explained the process in detail during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He also explained about the bathrooms.

The New York Times

Fatou explained about the marble.

The New Yorker

I explained about the access problem.

The Guardian

Mr. Blunt explained about his birthday and the keys.

The New York Times

Mrs. Basset explained about the furniture and suggested other toys.

The New Yorker

Briefly, he explained about the disappearance of Rezak's wife.

The New Yorker

Ahmet explained about hordes of refugee hippies outside Fillmore.

The New Yorker

I explained about the smells and my grandmother.

The New York Times - Food

"The station wasn't closed," he explained about Paddington.

The New York Times

As the rest of Europe urgently argued about austerity, Strauss-Kahn patiently explained about debauchery.

The New York Times

I explained about Cana's finances.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "about" after "explained". The verb "explain" already implies providing information about something, making the preposition redundant. Simply use "explained" followed by the subject or topic.

Common error

Don't add "about" after "explain". This is a common mistake that can make your writing sound less professional. Instead of "explained about", use "explained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained about" functions as a verb phrase, where "explained" is the verb and "about" is a preposition. However, it's grammatically redundant. As noted by Ludwig AI, the preposition "about" is unnecessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "explained about" is frequently used across diverse contexts, it is grammatically incorrect because the verb "explain" inherently includes the notion of "about". As Ludwig AI confirms, the preposition "about" is redundant and should be omitted for clarity and correctness. Instead, use simply "explained" followed by the topic. Although prevalent in Science and News & Media, adhering to proper grammar enhances the professionalism and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explained

Removes the unnecessary preposition "about", resulting in a grammatically correct and more concise phrasing.

gave an explanation of

Replaces the verb "explained" with a noun phrase, emphasizing the act of providing an explanation.

detailed

Focuses on the thoroughness and completeness of the explanation.

described

Shifts the focus to providing a descriptive account rather than a direct explanation.

clarified

Emphasizes the act of making something clearer and easier to understand.

elaborated on

Highlights the act of expanding on a topic with more detail.

outlined

Suggests a more structured and organized explanation.

walked through

Implies a step-by-step explanation of a process or procedure.

illuminated

Emphasizes the act of shedding light on a complex or obscure topic.

expounded on

Implies a formal and detailed explanation, often used in academic contexts.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "explained about"?

No, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is simply "explained" without the preposition "about".

What's the difference between "explained" and "explained about"?

The phrase "explained about" is redundant. "Explained" already implies providing information about a topic, so adding "about" is unnecessary and considered poor grammar.

What can I say instead of "explained about"?

You can use "explained", or more descriptive alternatives like "detailed", "described", or "clarified" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "explained" correctly in a sentence?

Use "explained" followed directly by the subject or topic you are clarifying. For example, instead of "She explained about the project", say "She explained the project".