he was explained

USAGE SUMMARY

"He was explained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone was given information (or instructions) about a particular topic. For example, "The project manager explained the plan to the team and he was explained the next steps they needed to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

'When he was 13, 14, 15, he was rebellious, he dropped out of school.

The Guardian - Books

But Bonds did not act his age when he was 37, 38, 39 and 40.

The New York Times - Sports

"What John's got to probably realise is that when he had Michael Clarke he was 21, 22, 23-years-old.

The Guardian - Sport

He'd never met his daughter, she was 16, 14, 11.

The Guardian

480 individuals from 16 varieties were analyzed to estimate the mean number of alleles 'A', the effective allelic number 'Ae', the observed heterozygosity 'Ho', and expected heterozygosity 'He' were 7.2, 3.9, 0.68, and 0.36, respectively.

Biochemical Systematics and Ecology

"Federer, with his game, can play at a high level until he's 32, 33, 34," Bollettieri said.

The New York Times

He fought when he was 6, 7 and 8 because he liked it.

The New York Times - Sports

Against Memphis, he was 8 of 11, and he was 4 of 7 against Miami.

The New York Times - Sports

He was 5 for 6 for 48 yards and touchdown.

The New York Times

On Sunday, he was 20 for 25 for 324 yards.

The New York Times - Sports

He was 5 for 10 on 3-point attempts.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider more common and natural alternatives like "he received an explanation" or "it was explained to him" to enhance clarity and readability.

Common error

Relying heavily on passive constructions like "he was explained" can make your writing sound awkward and less engaging. Opt for active voice where possible to improve flow and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was explained" functions as a passive construction, where the subject (he) is the recipient of the action (being explained). While grammatically valid, Ludwig AI highlights that it's not the most natural or common way to express this idea.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically permissible, the phrase "he was explained" is an uncommon and potentially awkward way to indicate that someone received an explanation. Ludwig AI suggests that alternatives such as "he received an explanation" or "it was explained to him" are preferable for improved clarity and naturalness. Given its rarity, careful consideration should be given to the context and potential for misinterpretation when using this phrase. Always opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing to enhance communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received an explanation

This alternative directly replaces the passive construction with a more standard active voice equivalent, focusing on the reception of the explanation.

he was given an explanation

Replaces "explained" with "given an explanation", emphasizing the act of providing the explanation.

it was explained to him

This maintains the passive voice but uses a more common structure, clarifying the direction of the explanation.

he had it explained to him

Emphasizes the personal experience of having something explained, adding a layer of colloquialism.

the explanation was given to him

Focuses on the explanation itself being the subject and emphasizes that he was the recipient.

he was briefed

Uses a more concise term, "briefed", implying a formal or official explanation.

he learned the details

Shifts the focus to the acquisition of knowledge, implying he understood the explanation.

he was informed

This is a general way of saying he received information, but it might lack the depth implied by "explanation".

he was told the reasons

Highlights that the explanation involved reasons, adding a specific aspect of the explanation.

he understood the rationale

Focuses on his comprehension of the underlying reasons, implying a deeper understanding than a simple explanation.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "he was explained"?

Alternatives include "he received an explanation", "it was explained to him", or "he was given an explanation", which are generally preferred for clarity and naturalness.

Is "he was explained" grammatically incorrect?

While technically grammatically sound, "he was explained" is an uncommon and potentially confusing construction. It's better to use clearer alternatives for effective communication.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice instead of the active voice?

Passive voice is useful when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. However, overuse can lead to vague or awkward sentences. Be aware of possible use of passive voice and make a smart word choice.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when using passive voice?

Ensure that the subject and object of the action are clear, and consider whether an active voice construction would be more direct and understandable. In short, try to rephrase your sentence.