he explained that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he explained that" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used any time you need to introduce something that was said by another person. For example, "He explained that he had just finished his biology exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Well," he explained, "that isn't the point.

The New Yorker

As he explained, "That is the code mate.

Vice

He explained that was wrong and taught me how to put condoms on correctly.

BMC Public Health

He explained that it made information accessible.

Independent

He explained that this was deliberate.

The New Yorker

He explained that now, the attacks were more silent.

The New York Times - Tech

He explained that the battery I had was defective.

The New York Times

He explained that writers didn't usually have business stationary.

The New Yorker

Then he explained that he would in fact not read.

The New Yorker

He explained that we would start with my forehand.

The New York Times - Sports

At the time, he explained that it was state property.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your reporting verbs. While "he explained that" is acceptable, consider using alternatives like "he clarified", "he noted", or "he indicated" to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Ensure that the tense in the 'that' clause aligns logically with the context. For example, avoid saying "He explained that he will go" if the explanation occurred in the past; instead, use "He explained that he would go."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he explained that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing indirect speech or reported information. It attributes an explanation or statement to a specific individual. Ludwig confirms that this structure is commonly used across various types of text.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he explained that" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for reporting explanations or statements made by an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts make it a reliable choice for clear communication. While alternatives exist to add nuance or formality, this phrase remains a standard for conveying information. Be sure to maintain tense consistency when reporting the explanation, and consider the context to choose the most appropriate reporting verb for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he clarified that

Replaces 'explained' with 'clarified', suggesting a more precise or detailed explanation.

he described that

Swaps 'explained' with 'described', focusing on providing details or characteristics.

he indicated that

Uses 'indicated' instead of 'explained', implying a more subtle or indirect communication.

he stated that

Substitutes 'explained' with 'stated', suggesting a formal declaration or announcement.

he noted that

Replaces 'explained' with 'noted', implying an observation or acknowledgment.

he mentioned that

Replaces 'explained' with 'mentioned', implying a brief or casual reference.

he pointed out that

Uses 'pointed out' instead of 'explained', highlighting a specific aspect or detail.

his explanation was that

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the explanation itself, rather than the act of explaining.

he revealed that

Uses 'revealed' instead of 'explained', suggesting the disclosure of previously unknown information.

according to him

Offers a more concise way to attribute the explanation, shifting the sentence structure.

FAQs

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

In more formal contexts, you can replace "he explained that" with phrases such as "he clarified that", "he stated that", or "he indicated that" for a more professional tone.

What are some synonyms for "he explained that" that imply a less formal tone?

For less formal situations, consider using "he mentioned that" or "he pointed out that" instead of "he explained that".

Is it grammatically correct to use "he explained how" instead of "he explained that"?

Yes, "he explained how" is grammatically correct when you are detailing a process or method. "He explained that" is used for reporting a statement or reason.

What's the difference between "he explained that" and "he justified that"?

"He explained that" simply reports what someone said, while "he justified that" implies that the person was providing reasons to defend or validate something. The phrase "he justified that" suggests a need for defending an action or belief.