he explained to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he explained to be" is not correct in English.
It seems to be a fragment and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. Example: "He explained to be more careful in the future."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Eldridge Mews was close to being sold to a developer, he explained, to be converted into condos.

The New York Times

"It's eerie," he explained, "to be here rebuilding as we look across at where the trade center used to be".

The New York Times

He and his friends had chosen Cable Beach, he explained, "to be within walking distance of the beach parties".

The New York Times

"That's how intimate they have to be with it," he explained, to be able to make the fantastically complex instrument that Weiss conceived actually work.

The New Yorker

Although Mr. Baalbaki does not like it -- he is there, he explained, to be watched, not to be a background novelty act -- quite a few young women lost themselves in their own versions of belly dancing as he performed.

The New York Times

It's meant, he explained, to be a better solution to the problem of presbyopia, which is basically when your eyes refuse to focus on close-up objects.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's an art form, he explains, to be able to run each operation.

TechCrunch

Without waiting for an answer, he explained, "To live is to create.

The New York Times

"Hueffer," he explained to Moore, "is a shit of the most dreary and uninteresting kind".

The Guardian - Books

The digital revolution's impact on structural unemployment, he explained to me, is deeply worrying.

TechCrunch

And that's because, he explained to me, content is more valued when it's private.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that after "he explained" you include a subject (e.g. "he explained that he was...").

Common error

Do not confuse the infinitive form "to be" with other grammatical structures. "He explained" usually requires a clause explaining what was clarified or a prepositional phrase indicating to whom the explanation was given. Using "to be" directly after "he explained" often leads to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he explained to be" functions as an incomplete expression. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's often a fragment needing completion to form a coherent statement. The phrase by itself lacks a clear grammatical function without additional context clarifying what "he" explained.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

11%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he explained to be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and requires further completion to form a coherent sentence. Ludwig AI marks it as such. While it appears in some contexts, notably in news and media, it is best to avoid this phrasing in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives such as "he explained that he was" or "he explained to me", depending on the intended meaning. Therefore, exercise caution when using "he explained to be" and always ensure that the sentence is grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he explained that he was

This provides a direct explanation of someone's state or action, replacing "to be" with a clearer description.

he explained it was

Simplifies the structure, focusing on the explanation of a specific situation or condition.

he clarified that he was

Emphasizes the act of making something clearer, replacing the ambiguous "to be".

he stated that he was

Uses a more formal term for expressing information, focusing on a declaration of fact.

he mentioned that he was

Indicates a casual imparting of information, often as part of a larger conversation.

he indicated that he was

Suggests a less direct form of communication, implying rather than stating explicitly.

he described himself as

Focuses on the person's self-perception or portrayal of their own characteristics.

he detailed his intention to

Highlights the planned action or goal that the person explained, adding context to their statement.

he justified his decision to

Emphasizes the reasoning behind a choice or action, providing a rationale for it.

he rationalized his need to

Focuses on providing a logical explanation for a requirement or compulsion, often to defend it.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "he explained to be" to make it grammatically correct?

Instead of "he explained to be", try using phrases like "he explained that he was", "he explained to me", or "he clarified that he was". The specific rephrasing depends on the intended meaning of the original sentence.

What is the most common mistake when using the phrase "he explained"?

The most common mistake is failing to provide a clear object or clause explaining what was being clarified. Phrases like "he explained to me" or "he explained that..." are more grammatically sound.

Is "he explained to be" ever considered grammatically correct in any context?

No, "he explained to be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's usually a sign of a missing word or an awkwardly constructed sentence. Review the context and try to rephrase it. Consider alternative options like "he explained that he was".

What are some alternatives to "he explained" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "he explained" include "he clarified", "he detailed", "he stated", and "he indicated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. However, remember that it will need a proper sentence after it. For example "he clarified" needs more to be correct.