he explained to us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he explained to us" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone informed or clarified something for another person or group. Example: During the meeting, the project manager explained to us the new budget plan and how it would impact our department's resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

He explained to us that while he understood the idea of using that kind of imagery as parody, he thought it ran the risk of bringing actual skinheads and Nazi types back to the club, so we were to cease and desist.

Vice

As he explained to us, "I didn't worry too much myself.

The New Yorker

"This is not a show," he explained to us at the outset.

The New Yorker

Casually, he explained to us the intensity of his loneliness, the loneliness of the entire corps.

The New Yorker

The coin is a copper farthing, he explained to us all, minted in 1672 and evidence of attempts to resolve a financial crisis in the 17th century.

The New York Times

Gothard himself liked to say that as he explained to us at a weekend retreat I attended to learn how to be a "godly" woman, God specifically set him apart for singleness, freeing him of the obligation to get married.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The Chinese leadership has a vision of what lies ahead in Tibet, and the Dalai Lama, as he explains to us, has another.

The New Yorker

Every aspect to the earphone's design has a purpose, he explains to us, including their shape.

TechCrunch

He recently took a year-long sabbatical, and the EIR role was the easiest way to "jump back in and get into the flow," he explains to us.

TechCrunch

Did he explain to us why he made the choices he did and what evidence supported those choices?

Huffington Post

"Families who would not send their daughters to school in another city," he explains to us, sent their daughters to Europe and beyond.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he explained to us", ensure the context clearly indicates who "he" refers to and who "us" includes. This avoids ambiguity and keeps your writing precise.

Common error

Avoid using "he explained to us" when the audience already possesses a high level of knowledge on the subject. Instead, provide the information directly without framing it as an explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he explained to us" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information conveyed by a specific individual to a group. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and serves to attribute an explanation to a particular source, providing context and potentially lending authority to the statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he explained to us" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to report an explanation given by someone to a group. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence in news and media, where it provides a way to cite sources and convey understanding. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure clarity and avoid implying condescension. Remember to identify who is "he" and who is "us" for better communication. Related alternatives like "he clarified for us" or "he detailed to us" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he clarified for us

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand.

he detailed to us

Emphasizes providing specific information or particulars.

he informed us

Highlights the act of giving information.

he told us the reason

Specifies that the explanation was about a reason.

he walked us through

Suggests a step-by-step explanation or demonstration.

he elucidated to us

Implies a more thorough and insightful explanation.

he conveyed to us

Highlights the communication aspect of the explanation.

he gave us an explanation

A more formal way of saying he explained.

he described for us

Focuses on providing a description or account.

he outlined for us

Implies giving a summary or main points.

FAQs

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

Use "he explained to us" to introduce a piece of information or reasoning that someone provided to a group, for example, "He explained to us that the project timeline had been extended".

What is a more formal way to say "he explained to us"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "he clarified for us" or "he detailed to us". These options, like "he clarified for us", often suit professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "he explained to us" and "he informed us"?

"He explained to us" suggests a detailed account or reasoning was provided. "He informed us", like "he informed us", simply means that information was conveyed, which might not involve reasoning or deep details.

Is "he explained to us that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he explained to us that" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The "that" introduces a clause containing the specific details of what was explained. For example, "He explained to us that the deadline was approaching fast".