it was explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it was explained' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been made clear and comprehensible. For example, "The mechanics of the stock market were overwhelming, but it was explained in a way that everyone could understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was explained by its highly cross-linked structure and steric hindrance of active sites.

Surface and Coatings Technology

"This is how it was explained".

The New York Times

"It was explained to us.

The New Yorker

Once it was explained, they expressed disdain.

The New York Times

Or, if it was explained to him, Cruz ignored it.

The New Yorker

Expulsion, it was explained, would cause his family grave embarrassment.

The New York Times

"Here's how it was explained to me," Mr. Rosenthal said.

The New York Times

Or, if it was explained to him, Cruz ignored it.

The New Yorker

It was explained that Mr. Peet also was dead.

The New Yorker

This reasoning must have been sweet music to Trump's ears when it was explained to him.

The New Yorker

It was explained that these instructions belonged to the previous participants and then read them aloud.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was explained", ensure that the explanation's source and context are clear to avoid ambiguity. Who did the explaining, and to whom?

Common error

While "it was explained" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem vague. Consider using active voice where appropriate (e.g., "They explained...") to enhance clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was explained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an explanation was given. Ludwig provides examples from diverse sources showing how this phrase is employed to introduce information that has been clarified or justified. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was explained" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate that something has been clarified or justified. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent across various domains, particularly in news media and scientific literature. While the passive voice is acceptable, consider active constructions for more direct writing. Ludwig’s analysis of example sentences from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its broad applicability. Remember to provide context and be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice for clarity. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively integrate "it was explained" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was clarified

Replaces 'explained' with 'clarified', emphasizing the removal of ambiguity.

it was described

Substitutes 'explained' with 'described', highlighting a detailed account.

it was justified

Replaces 'explained' with 'justified', focusing on providing reasons or defense.

it was elucidated

Uses 'elucidated' instead of 'explained', indicating a more thorough and insightful clarification.

the reason given was

Changes the structure to emphasize the reason provided.

the rationale was

Focuses on the underlying logic or principles behind something.

an explanation was provided

Shifts the emphasis to the act of providing an explanation.

the understanding was

Highlights the resulting comprehension or interpretation.

it was accounted for

Focuses on providing a reason or cause for something, often unexpected.

the details were provided

Emphasizes the provision of specific information.

FAQs

How can I use "it was explained" in a sentence?

The phrase "it was explained" is typically used to introduce an explanation or clarification that has already been provided. For example, "During the meeting, "it was explained" how the new policy would be implemented."

What are some alternatives to using "it was explained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it was clarified", "it was described", or "it was justified".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when explaining something?

While passive voice ("it was explained") is grammatically correct, active voice (e.g., "They explained") often leads to clearer and more direct writing. The best choice depends on the specific context and your desired emphasis.

Which is correct: "it was explained to me" or "it was explained me"?

"It was explained to me" is the correct form. The preposition "to" is necessary to indicate the recipient of the explanation. "It was explained me" is grammatically incorrect.