it was explained to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was explained to me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to information or instructions that someone has communicated to you. Example: "During the meeting, it was explained to me how the new software would improve our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"It was explained to me that this is a gift," he said.

The New York Times

He said: "The way it was explained to me helped me in my decision.

The Guardian - Sport

It was explained to me that the computers were being designed for "mere mortals", not engineers.

The Guardian - Tech

"It was explained to me," he said, "if you want the Javits expansion, you have to get on board.

The New York Times

The situation at Karni crossing, it was explained to me by an army spokesman, fell under this definition.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was explained to me that Gochi's daughter and son-in-law had forbidden her to come here anymore.

The New Yorker

We began at the Flagship check-in, a private entrance with a velvet rope — "our entrance for movie stars to avoid the paparazzi," it was explained to me.

The New York Times

I used the terminology as it was explained to me, and in retrospect, I probably should have called it "strategic leader" or something similar.

The New York Times

It was explained to me that when a neighborhood did slip too far, the government stepped in, tore the whole thing down, and started over.

The New Yorker

It was explained to me that he walked like that because he was a bolo, a drunkard, though he was not Tio Guayo.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the explanation is relevant to the point you are making and that the source of the explanation is trustworthy or authoritative.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "it was explained to me". While appropriate in some contexts, excessive use can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing for a more active voice when possible, such as "They explained to me that..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was explained to me" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that the speaker or writer received from another source. This construction uses the passive voice to highlight the explanation rather than the explainer. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, ranging from news articles to personal anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was explained to me" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that information has been received from an external source. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, you can use it to add credibility to your statements by referencing the source of your information. However, be mindful of overusing passive constructions and consider more active alternatives for clearer and stronger writing. Remember that specifying the source of explanation is useful if the source is known and authoritative. Overall, "it was explained to me" is a helpful way to convey that your understanding stems from an explanation provided by someone else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was informed that

This alternative is a more direct way of saying someone provided the information.

I was told that

This alternative is a simpler and more casual way of saying someone gave the information.

I learned that

This alternative focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.

I understood that

This alternative emphasizes comprehension of the information.

It was clarified to me that

This alternative indicates that something was previously unclear and has now been made clear.

I gathered that

This suggests an inference based on the explanation.

I was given to understand that

This alternative is a more formal way of saying the information was conveyed.

The explanation I received was that

This alternative emphasizes the explanation itself.

As I understood it

This highlights personal interpretation of the explanation.

My understanding is that

This focuses on the current state of understanding resulting from the explanation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was explained to me" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "I was informed that", "I was given to understand", or "it was clarified to me depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify who explained something to me?

While not always necessary, specifying the source of the explanation can add credibility, especially if the source is an expert or authority on the subject. If the source is irrelevant or unknown, you can omit it.

What's the difference between "it was explained to me" and "I understood"?

"It was explained to me" indicates that someone provided an explanation. "I understood" focuses on your comprehension, regardless of whether someone explained it or you figured it out independently. The first emphasizes the source of information, the second the reception of information.

When is it appropriate to use "it was explained to me" in writing?

Use "it was explained to me" when you want to emphasize that the information you are presenting came from an external source. This is useful in situations where you are justifying your understanding or presenting someone else's perspective.