it was explained to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was explained to him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that information or instructions were communicated to someone in the past. Example: "After the meeting, it was explained to him how the new software would be implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

Even after it was explained to him, Williams still had no idea what his position was.

The Guardian

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

The New Yorker

It was explained to him, Billings said, that the Russians believed most of the body's heat escaped through the fingertips.

The New York Times - Sports

It was explained to him that voluntary commitment to a state institution was for 2 years, and could not easily be terminated as at a private sanitarium.

The New Yorker

It was explained to him that what the customer wanted was a painting to hang over a couch, where the children would see and study it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is explained to him -- as if he knows the white man responsible for this outrage -- that the camera gives a person a bad feeling to be standing in its unblinking eye, being scrutinized on a warm summer evening while trying to have an alcoholic beverage with your friends after a long, dull day of work.

The New York Times

Seeing Ike in distress and some old pictures prompts a change of heart in Kyle, and he defends his brother fiercely before it is explained to him what a circumcision actually is, at which point Stan and Cartman decide they want to be circumcised too.

Wikipedia

TIMELINE: Summer's must see concerts "So we spent four days arguing about those records, and I was explaining to him why it wasn't right for [that] project," said Jay-Z, who added that the argument, which he won, never turned physical.

Los Angeles Times

"Down the road, it'll be explained to him".

The New York Times - Sports

It should be explained to him that we had already risked a lot by the delay".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was explained to him", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the explanation and what information was conveyed. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "it was explained to him" if an active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, "Someone explained it to him" might be preferable in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was explained to him" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone provided an explanation to a male individual. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It emphasizes the act of explaining rather than who did the explaining.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was explained to him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to describe a situation where a male individual receives an explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted in writing. While versatile, its passive nature might sometimes warrant a more direct, active voice alternative. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. Considering its correct grammatical status and versatile applicability, writers can confidently use "it was explained to him", being mindful of the nuance and context to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had it explained to him

Slightly more emphatic about the action of explaining.

he was informed

Focuses on the reception of information, generally more direct.

he was told

A simpler and more general way of saying he received the information.

it was conveyed to him

Emphasizes the act of communication, slightly more formal.

he received an explanation

Highlights the explanation itself, rather than the act of explaining.

the matter was clarified to him

Highlights making something clearer for his understanding.

the situation was clarified for him

Focuses on removing confusion or misunderstanding.

the details were elucidated to him

A more formal way of saying the details were made clear.

he learned the explanation

Indicates the process of gaining knowledge through explanation

he was given an understanding

Emphasizes the result of the explanation, his comprehension.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was explained to him" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives like "he was informed", "he was told", or "the situation was clarified for him" depending on the nuance you want to convey. For a more formal tone, you might use "it was conveyed to him".

Is "it was explained to him" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was explained to him" is grammatically correct, though it uses the passive voice. While perfectly acceptable, consider if an active voice construction might be clearer or more direct.

What's the difference between "it was explained to him" and "he understood"?

"It was explained to him" indicates that an explanation was given, but it doesn't guarantee understanding. "He understood" confirms that he comprehended the information. You might say "It was explained to him, but he didn't understand", highlighting the difference.

When is it best to use "it was explained to him" over other alternatives?

Use "it was explained to him" when you want to emphasize the act of explanation itself, perhaps highlighting the effort involved or the source of the information. In situations where the focus is simply on his receiving the information, alternatives like "he was informed" may be more appropriate.