he explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he explained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone clarifying or making something clear to another person. Example: "During the meeting, he explained the new policy changes to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He explained his mission.

The New York Times

At last he explained.

The New York Times

"The king," he explained.

The New York Times

He explained the instrumentation.

The New York Times

Frogs, he explained.

The New York Times - Travel

"Bullet," he explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm 52," he explained.

The New York Times

"Your testicles," he explained.

The Economist

He explained his thinking.

The New York Times

He explained his strategy.

The New Yorker

He explained why.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "he clarified", "he detailed", or "he elaborated" to keep your writing engaging and to provide slight variations in meaning, as appropriate. Remember to correctly conjugate each new verb with the subject pronoun.

Common error

Ensure you use the correct tense of the verb "explain" based on the context. Using "he explains" when the context requires past tense (e.g., recounting a past event) can be a common mistake. Maintain tense consistency throughout your writing for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he explained" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of clarifying, detailing, or providing information by a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct construction, commonly used across various forms of writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he explained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a male subject has provided an explanation or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While widely accepted, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "he clarified" or "he detailed" can enhance your writing. Remember to maintain tense consistency and correctly conjugate your verbs. This phrase helps convey information and context effectively, contributing to clear and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he clarified

Focuses on making something easier to understand, removing ambiguity.

he detailed

Emphasizes providing comprehensive information, often including specific elements.

he elaborated

Suggests expanding on a point with additional information and nuance.

he described

Highlights providing a representation or account of something in words.

he illustrated

Involves providing examples to make something easier to understand.

he outlined

Focuses on presenting the main points or structure of something.

he specified

Highlights mentioning something explicitly or in detail.

he justified

Focuses on providing reasons or explanations to defend or validate something.

he interpreted

Suggests explaining the meaning of something, often involving analysis.

he accounted for

Focuses on providing a reason or explanation for something, often unexpected.

FAQs

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

Use "he explained" to indicate that someone provided clarification or details about something. For example, "He explained his strategy" shows that he made his plan clear.

What are some alternatives to "he explained"?

You can use alternatives such as "he clarified", "he detailed", or "he elaborated" to vary your writing while maintaining a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "he explain" instead of "he explained"?

No, "he explain" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. The correct form is "he explained" when referring to a past action. The present simple "he explains" can be used to describe a habitual action or a general truth.

What is the difference between "he explained" and "he justified"?

"He explained" means he provided information to clarify something, while "he justified" means he provided reasons to defend or validate something. The former focuses on clarity, the latter on defense.