he was explaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was explaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that someone was performing in the past, particularly when providing information or clarifying a topic. Example: "During the meeting, he was explaining the new project timeline to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was explaining the Shinola mission.

The New York Times

At twelve, he was explaining relativity to them.

The New Yorker

He was explaining the images with his hands.

The New York Times

He was explaining why the reconstruction projects were taking so long: "You see?

The New Yorker

He was explaining this while standing about eight inches from my face.

The New York Times

Within minutes he was explaining how well things are going for Jeremy.

The Guardian

He was explaining why the cost of credit had fallen dramatically.

The Washington Post

On the radio, he was explaining the breakdown of the power grid.

The New York Times

He was explaining something really intently to a PR-ish, hospitality-type woman.

The Guardian - Sport

He was explaining the changes in a post on the BBC's blog The editors.

The Guardian

A few weeks ago, he was explaining his new calling in faintly portentous fashion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, ensure it directly precedes what was being explained. This syntactic choice maintains sentence clarity and enhances the reader's comprehension of the information being conveyed. For example, "He was explaining the intricate details of quantum physics to the captivated audience."

Common error

Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense when using "he was explaining". Mixing tenses can create confusion about the timeline of events and diminish the clarity of your narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was explaining" functions as a past continuous construction, indicating an action in progress at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was explaining" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an action of providing explanation in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is prevalent in diverse sources, predominantly within News & Media. While its register remains neutral, it effectively serves the purpose of conveying information or clarification. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, writers can confidently and accurately employ "he was explaining" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was clarifying

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand, suggesting a correction of previous ambiguity.

he was detailing

Emphasizes providing specific information, often in a comprehensive manner.

he was describing

Highlights the act of giving an account or representation of something in words.

he was outlining

Suggests presenting the main features or structure of a topic, focusing on the framework.

he was illustrating

Implies using examples or analogies to make something easier to understand.

he was presenting

Focuses on formally introducing or showcasing information to an audience.

he was stating

Emphasizes declaring something clearly and definitely, often as a matter of fact.

he was asserting

Highlights a strong declaration of a belief or opinion, often in the face of disagreement.

he was conveying

Focuses on the act of communicating information or feelings.

he was teaching

Implies a structured approach to impart knowledge or skills.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he was explaining" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "he was elucidating", "he was detailing", or "he was articulating". These options convey a sense of precision and thoroughness.

Is there a difference between "he was explaining" and "he explained"?

Yes, "he was explaining" indicates an ongoing action in the past, while "he explained" suggests a completed action. The continuous tense emphasizes the process of explaining, while the simple past focuses on the result.

What's a more concise way to say "he was explaining"?

Depending on the context, you could use shorter alternatives like "he clarified", "he described", or "he outlined" to convey the same meaning more succinctly.

How to use "he was explaining" in a sentence?

Use "he was explaining" to show that someone was in the process of giving an explanation at a particular time in the past. For example: "He was explaining the rules of the game to the new players."