he was explicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was explicit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has clearly and directly expressed their thoughts or intentions without ambiguity. Example: "During the meeting, he was explicit about his expectations for the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

And he was explicit: these districts are far from secure.

The New York Times

But he was explicit about the Israeli conclusion that Iran's intention was military, not civilian.

The New York Times

But he was explicit about the Israeli conclusion that Iran's intention is military, not civilian.

The New York Times

He was explicit in describing what Bonds might think about Beimel having Bonds's baseball card.

The New York Times - Sports

He was explicit that the point was to keep Muslim refugees out while letting Christians from the same places in.

The Washington Post

He was explicit in that he refused to work for them but he did confirm he didn't know the individuals".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

But he is explicit about his expectations of Hynes.

The Guardian

At the same time, he is explicit in his goal to gain fame and wealth from his art.

The New York Times - Arts

The history of ideas about style doesn't detain Pinker for long, and he professes himself unable to supplant Strunk and White, but he is explicit about wanting to improve on the eccentricity and inconsistency of The Elements of Style.

The Guardian

Indeed, in other passages, he is explicit that the target of this critique is the picture of conscious motives as adequate to account for action.

SEP

He is explicit that he is not defending these views as probable (2008, 58) but, rather, only as such that a person can have a reasonable perspective that does not entail their rejection (2008, 72).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was explicit" to emphasize the clarity and lack of ambiguity in someone's statement or instructions. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight that the person left no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "he was explicit" when the context doesn't genuinely involve clear, unambiguous communication. Using it loosely can dilute its impact and make your writing seem less precise. Ensure the situation truly reflects a clear and direct expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was explicit" functions as a statement highlighting the clarity and directness of someone's communication. It emphasizes that the person expressed their thoughts or intentions without any ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was explicit" is a phrase used to describe someone's clear and direct communication. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in scientific and formal contexts. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize that a person left no room for misinterpretation, ensuring your message conveys the intended clarity. Remember to avoid overusing it in contexts that aren't genuinely clear or unambiguous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he stated clearly

Replaces "explicit" with "clearly", emphasizing the clarity of the statement.

he made it clear

Focuses on the act of clarifying something, rather than the manner of speaking.

he specified precisely

Emphasizes the exactness and detail in his statement.

he articulated distinctly

Highlights the distinctness and clarity of his articulation.

he expressed unequivocally

Stresses the lack of ambiguity in his expression.

he detailed thoroughly

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of his explanation.

he laid it out plainly

Indicates a straightforward and uncomplicated explanation.

he clarified unambiguously

Emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in his clarification.

he defined explicitly

Focuses on providing a clear and detailed definition.

he asserted definitively

Highlights the conclusive and authoritative nature of his assertion.

FAQs

How can I use "he was explicit" in a sentence?

Use "he was explicit" to show someone communicated clearly and directly, leaving no room for doubt. For example, "He was explicit about the deadline", meaning he made the deadline very clear.

What can I say instead of "he was explicit"?

You can use alternatives like "he stated clearly", "he made it clear", or "he specified precisely" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "he was explicit" or "he was clear"?

"He was explicit" emphasizes a direct and unambiguous statement, while "he was clear" focuses on understandability. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the manner of communication or its reception.

What's the difference between "he was explicit" and "he was implicit"?

"He was explicit" means he stated something directly and clearly, while "he was implicit" means he suggested something indirectly, without stating it outright. They are antonyms.