he explained me

USAGE SUMMARY

"he explained me" is not a grammatically correct sentence in written English.
It is unclear who is being explained or what is being explained. A more correct and specific way to phrase this would be "he explained the topic to me" or "he provided an explanation to me." Example: "During the seminar, the speaker explained the concept of time management to me in a clear and concise manner."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He explained me, "That was Chevrolet's market.

The New Yorker

Yeah, little bit I read…He explained me nicely that time.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There was much swelling [in my joints] … He explained to me and wanted me to stop taking it.

BMC Geriatrics

He explained to me what happened.

The Economist

And he explained to me: 'Look, engineer.

The Guardian

He explained to me that he has reservations about MOOCs.

The New Yorker

He explained to me how it really worked.

The New York Times

("My hands just get too sweaty," he explained to me).

The New Yorker

"It negates my medication," he explained to me.

The New Yorker

"Look," he explained to me, "I'm not personally ambitious.

The New Yorker

He explained to me how Cobué was ruled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the structure "he explained [something] to me" or "he gave me an explanation of [something]" for grammatically correct sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "me" as the direct object of "explained". The verb "explain" requires a subject that is being explained, such as a concept, situation, or process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he explained me" functions as a clause, but it is grammatically incorrect. In correct English, "explain" requires an object representing what was explained. As Ludwig AI points out, it's unclear who is being explained.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he explained me" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies that "me" cannot serve as the direct object of "explained". Instead, use "he explained it to me" or "he gave me an explanation". While there are limited examples of the phrase being used, they do not represent proper English. Correct usage is essential for clear communication, especially in formal contexts. Remember to specify what was explained for grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he explained it to me

This is a grammatically correct rephrasing using "it" as the object of the explanation.

he gave me an explanation

This alternative uses a different verb ("gave") and noun ("explanation") to convey the same meaning.

he clarified it for me

This phrase uses "clarified" to suggest making something clearer, which is a type of explanation.

he detailed it to me

This alternative uses "detailed" to specify a comprehensive explanation.

he walked me through it

This idiom suggests a step-by-step explanation.

he elucidated it for me

This is a more formal way of saying he explained it, using a sophisticated verb.

he spelled it out for me

This idiom means to explain something very clearly and simply.

he broke it down for me

This phrase suggests simplifying a complex topic into smaller, easier-to-understand parts.

he lectured me on it

This suggests a more formal or didactic explanation, possibly longer than necessary.

he taught me about it

This focuses on the educational aspect of the explanation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "he explained me"?

The correct phrasing is "he explained it to me" or "he gave me an explanation". The verb "explain" requires an object (what was explained) and uses the preposition "to" to indicate the recipient.

What can I say instead of "he explained me"?

You can use alternatives like "he "explained it to me"", "he "gave me an explanation"", or "he "clarified it for me"" depending on the context.

Is "he explained me" grammatically correct?

No, "he explained me" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct structure requires an object of explanation (e.g., "it", "the situation") and the preposition "to" (e.g., "he explained it to me").

What's the difference between "he explained me" and "he explained it to me"?

"He explained me" is grammatically incorrect. "He explained it to me" is the correct way to express that someone provided you with an explanation. The "it" refers to whatever was being explained.