explained bitterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explained bitterly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is conveying information or a story with a sense of resentment or deep disappointment. Example: "She explained bitterly how her hard work had gone unrecognized by her peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The bar had its liquor license confiscated today, and no one told us," the Pirate, one of the contest's organizers, explained bitterly, shivering in his Hawaiian shirt, jeans, and running shoes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They get 4 calls one night from one man and on the 4th call the husband explains bitterly and at length.

The New Yorker

One man who runs a children's theatre explains bitterly that there is no professional structure to theatre in Nigeria, that as soon as people leave school they want to make music videos.

The Guardian

Bizarrely, the zoo's director Bernhard Blaszkiewitz published a book titled Knautschke, Knut and Co which explained somewhat bitterly how Knut's fame has overshadowed the personalities of the other animals in his vicinity.

Vice

"It's not that I have the best answer, but I have the right answer," Krakoff explained on a bitterly cold morning in February.

The New Yorker

The Greens MP Scott Ludlam explained why, somewhat bitterly, after losing his own preference deal with them.

Vice

But the letter's signatories called the amendment "bitterly disappointing", and explained: "Put simply, blocking access as envisaged by this clause would both widely disrupt the internet in the UK and elsewhere and threaten freedom of speech and the open internet, without reducing copyright infringement as intended.

The Guardian - Tech

Even this brief vignette of his psyche explains why he was bitterly estranged from his wife and daughter.

The Guardian - Opinion

When spraying his fields in the past with insecticides or weed killer, he explained, he often came too close to the village, and people would complain bitterly.

The New York Times

Once, he explains, in the middle of a bitterly cold night, he looked out the window and saw Melissa on the curb, going through the garbage.

The New York Times

Kieran Suckling, the executive director of the centre, explains: "I was amazed to discover the Sierra Club opposed us bitterly.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explained bitterly" when you want to emphasize not just the act of explaining, but also the negative emotion accompanying it. It adds depth to the character's or speaker's sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "explained bitterly" when a neutral or objective explanation is required. The phrase adds a layer of negativity that can be inappropriate if the context doesn't warrant it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained bitterly" functions as a verb phrase modifier, adding information about the manner in which the explanation was given. Ludwig AI confirms it adds an emotional layer to the act of explaining. It describes how the explanation was delivered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explained bitterly" is used to describe the act of explaining something with a significant degree of resentment or disappointment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct but relatively rare in occurrence. Its primary function is to add emotional depth to an explanation, conveying the speaker's negative feelings alongside the information. While usable in various contexts, it's most commonly found in news and media, and it's important to avoid overuse in neutral situations. Consider alternatives like "expressed resentment" or "conveyed with bitterness" for similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conveyed with bitterness

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the act of conveying rather than the explanation itself.

articulated resentfully

Emphasizes the manner of speaking, highlighting the resentment in the articulation.

expressed resentment

Focuses on the feeling of resentment being conveyed, rather than just bitterness.

related with resentment

Indicates a recounting of events infused with a feeling of being wronged.

stated with animosity

Highlights the presence of strong dislike or hostility in the explanation.

remarked acrimoniously

Suggests a sharp and bitter tone in the remark, implying a contentious context.

revealed with indignation

Emphasizes the anger and surprise at unfair treatment when explaining.

offered a scathing explanation

Highlights the critical and harsh nature of the explanation.

described with disdain

Focuses on contempt and scorn present in the description.

gave a jaundiced account

Implies that the explanation is biased and pessimistic due to bitterness.

FAQs

What does "explained bitterly" mean?

The phrase "explained bitterly" means to convey information or a situation with a sense of deep resentment, disappointment, or anger. It suggests the speaker is not simply explaining, but also expressing negative emotions about the subject.

When is it appropriate to use "explained bitterly"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation where someone is conveying information or recounting events with a strong feeling of resentment or disappointment due to a perceived injustice or negative experience.

What are some alternatives to "explained bitterly"?

You can use alternatives like "expressed resentment", "conveyed with bitterness", or "stated with animosity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "explained bitterly" differ from "explained clearly"?

"Explained clearly" focuses on the clarity and comprehensibility of the explanation. "Explained bitterly", on the other hand, emphasizes the negative emotional state of the person giving the explanation, regardless of its clarity.