Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
first explained about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "first explained about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is generally used incorrectly because "explain" does not require the preposition "about." Example: "He first explained the concept of gravity to the students."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
We first explained to them about the classification of micro vascular patterns by using typical endoscopic picture of two cases for five micro vascular patterns.
Science
The third PC explains about 11.6% of the variability and is determined by the C soln and C E of Cu, positively correlated with the OC, CEC and Cu accumulated in carrot roots.
Science
3 The interviewer first explained what vaccines are and about HPV vaccine.
Science
"Where I come from, most people think about themselves first," explained the actor.
Formal & Business
The first, second, third, and fourth principle components explained about 35.7%, 53.1%, 64.5%, and 72.1% of the variation observed in the eigenvector analysis (Table 3).
The third factor explained about 6.7%% variance, describing technology usage challenges.
On Saturday he gave the keynote address at Melbourne's Face the Music conference in which he celebrated the fact the internet had both dismantled this system and addressed its inequalities: I'm going to first explain a few things about myself.
News & Media
So before you go out and buy that super cute vinyl poncho, let me first explain a little bit about PVC and then I will showcase some of my personal eco-friendly favorites.
News & Media
The first two factors explained about 38% of the variation in the data, with the first component alone (PC1) accounting for more than 23% of the variation and the second component (PC2) accounting for 15% of the variation.
Science
The first four factors explained about 73% of the common variance in the data.
First, explain your situation.
Science & Research
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "about" after "explained". Instead, directly state what was explained: "He first explained the concept."
Common error
The verb "explain" is transitive and doesn't require the preposition "about". Saying "explained about" is grammatically incorrect.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "first explained about" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "explain" is transitive and doesn't require a preposition like "about". According to Ludwig AI, this usage is not standard English.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "first explained about" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "explain" is transitive and doesn't require the preposition "about". As Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage is simply "explained". Therefore, avoid using "about" after "explained". The correct way to express the intended meaning is to use alternatives like "initially explained", "first clarified", or "began by explaining". While the intention is clear, the grammatical error undermines the clarity and professionalism of the communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
initially explained
Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the explanation being at the beginning.
explained at the outset
Focuses on explaining something at the very beginning.
first clarified
Focuses on making something understandable as the initial action.
began by explaining
Highlights the commencement of a process with an explanation.
started with an explanation of
Similar to 'began by explaining' but slightly more formal.
provided an initial explanation
Highlights the act of giving an explanation at the beginning.
preliminarily described
Implies a basic or initial description was given.
introduced with an explanation
Focuses on introducing a topic through explanation.
initially detailed
Suggests providing details at the beginning.
outlined at the beginning
Implies giving a summary or overview at the start.
FAQs
What is the correct way to use "explain" in a sentence?
The verb "explain" does not require the preposition "about". You should directly follow "explain" with the object of the explanation, such as "He explained the rules".
What can I say instead of "first explained about"?
Instead of "first explained about", you can use alternatives like "initially explained", "first clarified", or "began by explaining" depending on the context.
Is it grammatically correct to say "explained about"?
No, it is not grammatically correct. The verb "explain" is transitive and does not need the preposition "about". The correct usage is to say "explained" followed by the subject of the explanation.
What's the difference between "explained" and "explained about"?
"Explained" is the correct form. "Explained about" is redundant because "explain" already implies providing information about something. Therefore, "explained about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested