he explained to me

USAGE SUMMARY

"he explained to me" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone has provided information or clarification to the speaker. It is commonly used in spoken and written communication. Example: "He explained to me the importance of eating a healthy diet and how it can improve my overall well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He explained to me what happened.

The Economist

And he explained to me: 'Look, engineer.

The Guardian

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

As he explained to me, "It's good for your résumé.

The New Yorker

"I'm very relativist in my views," he explained to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

He explained to me that he has reservations about MOOCs.

The New Yorker

"It's really a matter of statistics," he explained to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

He explained to me how Cobué was ruled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he explained to me" to clearly indicate that someone provided information or clarification, especially when emphasizing the source of the information.

Common error

Ensure that the context clearly indicates who "he" refers to, especially in longer passages with multiple characters or speakers. Otherwise, the sentence becomes ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he explained to me" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information conveyed by someone. It indicates the source of the explanation and attributes the information to that person. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he explained to me" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone has provided information or clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in written English to attribute explanations to a specific source. Its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, highlights its versatility and reliability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "he" refers to. Consider alternatives like "he clarified for me" or "he detailed to me" to add nuance to your writing. Ultimately, "he explained to me" is a straightforward and effective way to convey that someone provided you with an explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he clarified for me

Focuses on making something clearer, often by removing confusion.

he detailed to me

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the explanation, including specific information.

he described to me

Focuses on providing a representation or account of something.

he outlined for me

Suggests a structured and organized explanation, covering the main points.

he walked me through

Implies a step-by-step explanation or demonstration.

he broke it down for me

Suggests simplifying a complex topic into smaller, more understandable parts.

he informed me

Highlights the act of conveying knowledge or facts.

he spelled it out for me

Indicates a very clear and explicit explanation, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

he gave me an explanation

Uses a noun phrase instead of a verb phrase to convey a similar meaning.

he told me

A more general term for conveying information, less formal than "explained".

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "he clarified for me", "he described to me", or "he detailed to me" depending on the context.

Is "he explained me" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrasing is "he explained to me". The preposition "to" is necessary to indicate the recipient of the explanation.

How to use "he explained to me" in a sentence?

You can use "he explained to me" to introduce an explanation or information that someone provided. For example, "He explained to me the process of photosynthesis."

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

"He explained to me" implies a more detailed and reasoned account, while "he told me" is a more general term for conveying information. "He explained to me" suggests a deeper understanding was imparted. You can eventually use he informed me