explained myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explained myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of clarifying or making your thoughts or actions clear to someone else. Example: "After the meeting, I felt it was necessary to reach out to my colleague and explained myself regarding the decision I made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I explained myself.

The New Yorker

He understood, now that I'd explained myself, why.

The New Yorker

Even Tom from the summer school was fine once I had explained myself.

The Guardian

Explaining his defeat, he said: "I suppose it is my own fault for having explained myself inadequately clearly".

The Guardian - Books

"I explained myself to a lot of people," Dr. Abu-Raghif, 37, said before the voting began.

The New York Times

I explained myself as I tried to peer in, but he politely said: "My mother has leukemia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

How to explain myself?

Independent

I had better explain myself!

The Guardian - Travel

I can't really explain myself.

The Guardian - Music

How do I explain myself without appearing condescending?

The New York Times

"Today I find that hard to explain myself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explained myself" when you want to convey that you have provided a detailed account or justification for your actions or beliefs to someone.

Common error

While "explained myself" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "clarified my position" or "provided a detailed account" in professional or academic writing to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained myself" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of providing a justification, clarification, or detailed account of one's own actions, beliefs, or position. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in everyday language and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explained myself" is a commonly used verb phrase that means to provide a detailed account or justification for one's actions or beliefs. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While acceptable in many situations, more formal alternatives may be appropriate for professional or academic writing. It's used to clarify misunderstandings and ensure one's perspective is understood. While generally considered neutral in register, context dictates the most appropriate alternative. Remember to use it when you have provided a justification or detailed account of your actions or beliefs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarified my position

Focuses on making one's viewpoint clear and understandable.

gave my explanation

Emphasizes the act of providing a reason or justification.

offered my perspective

Highlights sharing one's personal viewpoint or understanding.

detailed my reasons

Stresses providing a thorough account of the motives.

justified my actions

Centers on defending or vindicating one's behavior.

accounted for my behavior

Implies providing a reason for one's conduct, often in response to criticism.

presented my side of the story

Focuses on offering one's version of events, especially in a dispute.

defended my stance

Highlights the act of protecting one's viewpoint or position.

elaborated on my thinking

Emphasizes expanding on one's thought process or reasoning.

communicated my intentions

Centers on making one's aims and purposes known.

FAQs

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

You can use "explained myself" when you want to convey that you provided a detailed account or justification for your actions. For example, "After the misunderstanding, I "explained myself" to my manager".

What can I say instead of "explained myself"?

You can use alternatives like "clarified my position", "gave my explanation", or "offered my perspective" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have explained myself"?

Yes, "I have explained myself" is grammatically correct and uses the present perfect tense to indicate that you have already provided an explanation.

What's the difference between "explained myself" and "explained it"?

"Explained myself" refers to providing an explanation specifically about your own actions, beliefs, or position. "Explained it" refers to explaining a general topic or situation. For example, "I "explained myself" to the team", versus "I "explained it" to them".