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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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explained me

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY


No, "explained me" is not correct and should not be used in written English. The verb "explain" cannot take an object pronoun like "me" as its object because "explain" means "to make something clear or understandable to someone." Instead, it should be used with a reflexive pronoun, such as "explained myself." For example, "I explained myself to my boss during the meeting." In some cases, "explain to me" can be used in written English. It is a more common way of expressing the idea of someone explaining something to another person. For example, "Can you please explain to me how to solve this math problem?" or "She explained to me why she couldn't attend the party." Alternatively, "explained" can be used as an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take an object. In this case, you can use it without a pronoun or with an indirect object. For example, "He explained the situation to the team" or "The teacher explained the concept in detail." Overall, it is important to use the appropriate verb forms and pronouns when constructing sentences in written English to ensure clarity and proper grammar.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They explained me.

News & Media

The New York Times

He explained me, "That was Chevrolet's market.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Nobody explained me why and this is most worrying," she wrote.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Nobody really explained me or told me, when you come to New York, all this is going to happen.

News & Media

The New York Times

NeuCoin explained me why we need yet another new cryptocurrency.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Jones explained me: "What if you could create a billion maps, one for each user.

News & Media

TechCrunch
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"But this film does a great job of explaining me".

These songs explain me better than I can explain them".

I met a doctor really careful in explaining me everything I asked her.

Science

BMJ Open

He explained to me what happened.

News & Media

The Economist

Nothing has really been explained to me.

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "explained me" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "explained to me" or "explained it to me" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is directly using a personal pronoun (me, him, her) as the object of "explain". Remember to include 'to' before the pronoun (explain to me) or clarify what was explained (explain it to me).

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained me" is grammatically incorrect as "explain" requires either a "to" preposition before the indirect object or a direct object specifying what was explained. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English prefers constructions like "explained to me" or "explained it to me."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explained me" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While some instances appear in various sources, according to Ludwig AI, it violates established grammar rules. The proper way to express this thought is to use "explained to me" or "explained it to me". Although present in some news, media, and scientific contexts, it is best to avoid "explained me" in formal writing and professional settings to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "explained me"?

The phrase "explained me" is grammatically incorrect. Use phrases like "explained to me" or "explained it to me" instead.

What's the difference between "explained me" and "explained to me"?

"Explained me" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "explained to me", where "to" indicates the recipient of the explanation.

Is "explained me" ever acceptable in English?

No, "explained me" is generally not considered acceptable in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "explained to me".

What are some alternatives to "explained to me"?

Alternatives to "explained to me" include "clarified for me", "elucidated to me", or "detailed to me", depending on the context.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: