explained to him that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explained to him that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that someone provided information or clarification to another person about a specific topic or situation. Example: "She explained to him that the meeting had been rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I explained to him that I had chronic lower back pain.

The New York Times

"I explained to him that my son was sick, gravely sick," Detective Canale said.

The New York Times

"I explained to him that I didn't vote with him, but I'm glad that it passed.

The New York Times

The narrator explained to him that he was looking for a judge.

The New Yorker

Valentine said Randazzo explained to him that he did not believe Tejera intended to hit Valentin.

The New York Times - Sports

"I explained to him that this is the new Swedish national anthem," Ibrahimovic said.

The Guardian - Sport

It should be explained to him that we had already risked a lot by the delay".

The Guardian

I explained to him that without absolute faith there would be no healing.

The New Yorker

For example, who needs to have explained to him that an innocent plowman is more worthy than a vicious prince?

The New York Times - Books

We explained to him that the first inning, the scoreboard was reading 912 m.p.h., so normally that stuff's out there.

The New York Times - Sports

I explained to him that we needed a new identity in midfield and that he could help," Jol said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to introduce explanations that are essential for understanding a situation or making an informed decision.

Common error

Avoid using "explained to him that" when the information is already well-known or obvious to the recipient. Over-explaining can come across as condescending or patronizing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained to him that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing the content of an explanation given to a male recipient. It connects the act of explaining with the specific information being conveyed. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explained to him that" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce an explanation given to a male recipient. As Ludwig confirms, it’s broadly utilized in various contexts, especially in news and media. The phrase conveys information, provides clarification, or offers reasoning. While its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings, alternatives like "informed him that" or "told him that" can be used for more formal or casual tones, respectively. Remember to avoid over-explaining when the information is already obvious to the recipient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed him that

Focuses on simply giving information, potentially without detailed reasoning.

clarified for him that

Highlights the act of making something understandable.

told him that

A more direct and less formal way of conveying information.

pointed out to him that

Suggests bringing attention to a specific fact or detail.

conveyed to him that

Emphasizes the transmission of a message or idea.

made him understand that

Highlights the goal of achieving comprehension.

detailed to him that

Suggests a comprehensive and thorough explanation.

outlined to him that

Conveys giving a summary of key points.

stated to him that

A formal way of expressing a fact or opinion.

expressed to him that

Focuses on communicating feelings or thoughts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "explained to him that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "informed him that" or "conveyed to him that", which suggest a more official or detached manner of communication.

What's a more casual alternative to "explained to him that"?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "told him that" or "pointed out to him that", which are more conversational and less formal.

How does "explained to him that" differ from "clarified for him that"?

"Explained to him that" implies providing a general understanding, while "clarified for him that" suggests resolving confusion or ambiguity. Use "clarified" when the goal is to make something previously unclear, clear.

Is "explained to him that" always necessary, or can I sometimes omit it?

In some cases, you can omit "explained to him that" if the context makes it clear that an explanation is being provided. For example, instead of "I explained to him that the meeting was canceled", you could simply say "I told him the meeting was canceled", depending on the situation and intended level of detail.