explained on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explained on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition should be "in" or "about" depending on the context. Example: "The topic was explained in the report."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The techniques are explained on many Web sites.

The New York Times - Health

Other specialist qualifications are explained on the IFAP website.

The Guardian - Money

Its goals are explained on its Web site, ScienceDebate2008.com.

The New York Times

"I am me," he explained on Tuesday night.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A vintage party," she explained on the phone.

The New York Times - Style

"I'm totally normal," Gordon explained, on the phone.

The New Yorker

Or so Mr Heath has explained on the news.

Independent

This age distribution has been explained on immunologic grounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Music is the voice of God for me," he explained on his most recent release, "Spirit!

The New York Times - Arts

Maloney explained on the programme how he and Eubank fell out over a cup of tea.

The Guardian - Sport

(The full details and worked examples are explained on the next page).

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "explained in" or "explained by" for clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, "The concept is "explained in" detail in the report".

Common error

Avoid using "on" when "in" or "by" are more appropriate prepositions. Using ""explained on"" often sounds awkward. Opt for stronger alternatives like ""explained in" the manual" or ""explained by" the expert".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to indicate the location or medium where an explanation is provided. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. The preferred usage would involve prepositions like "in" or "by".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "explained on" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The intended function is to direct the audience to an explanation's location, but more appropriate prepositions such as "in" or "by" should be favored. Despite its common occurrence in news and media, using "explained in" or "explained by" enhances clarity and grammatical precision, especially in formal contexts. Considering the availability of better alternatives, adopting correct phrasing is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explained in

Uses a more standard preposition to indicate where the explanation is found.

detailed in

Replaces "explained" with "detailed" to emphasize thoroughness.

discussed in

Uses "discussed" to indicate a broader treatment of the topic.

covered in

Indicates that the topic is addressed within a particular context.

elucidated in

Replaces "explained" with a more formal verb, suggesting a higher degree of clarification.

described in

Focuses on providing a descriptive account rather than a full explanation.

set forth in

Suggests a formal or structured presentation of information.

presented in

Emphasizes the act of showing or displaying information.

outlined in

Highlights the structure and key points of an explanation.

clarified in

Focuses on making something easier to understand.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "explained on"?

The phrase "explained on" is often considered incorrect. More suitable alternatives include "explained in", "explained by", or "described in" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "on" as a preposition after "explained"?

It's rarely appropriate. Typically, "explained" should be followed by "in" to indicate where the explanation can be found (e.g., "explained in the manual") or "by" to indicate who provided the explanation (e.g., "explained by the teacher").

Is "explained on" ever considered acceptable in informal writing?

While you might encounter "explained on" in informal contexts, it is generally better to use "explained in" or another more precise phrasing for clarity and grammatical accuracy, even in less formal settings.

What's the difference between "explained in" and "explained on"?

"Explained in" is the standard and grammatically correct way to indicate where an explanation can be found (e.g., "explained in the book"). "Explained on" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided.