loosely explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loosely explained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something has been described in a general or imprecise manner, rather than with strict detail. Example: "The concept of relativity can be loosely explained as the idea that time and space are interconnected and relative to the observer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It affirmed Mr. Uribe's commitment to extradition, though it only loosely explained then-Senator Uribe's opposition to a proposed referendum on extradition.

The New York Times

The "reveries" were loosely explained but described as echoes or memories.

Los Angeles Times

"The idea was to recreate the look of a sketchbook; to have lots of different images all drawn fairly loosely," explained Macaulay.

Huffington Post

However, a large and growing number of our soldiers are returning with incapacitating post-traumatic stress disorder, which, loosely explained, is a syndrome of chronically acute fear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The campaigns are loosely organised, he explains, and the tree fiasco highlights a disturbing trend of increasingly brazen profiteering by local party officials.Moreover, Vietnam's information ministry is continuing to sharpen its censorship laws by rolling out "circulars" detailing how authorities should interpret the vague edicts on its statute books.

The Economist

The adsorbed dye molecules are only loosely bonded, which explains the formation of a high density of large diameter pores during NaOH treatment, as observed in the morphology analysis.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Cognitive reserve is an inclusive term that has been loosely used to explain the inter-subject variability in cognitive performance in the face of brain pathology.

Brain

Blaming a family member who is caring for someone who is dying needs to be thoroughly investigated by the service provider, because of the complexity around payback; today the term is often loosely used to explain a situation which in the traditional sense would not constitute payback.

BMC Palliative Care

Dirnt explained that the recording was much more loosely structured than previous albums, and that creating songs was the focus as opposed to making a cohesive record.

Wikipedia

For instance, he explained, the panels that appear to have been loosely, almost casually draped on the body look that way for a reason.

The New York Times

Note that the elongated "radial" distributions of end-points for cases (a) and (c) are not captured well by this model, though the more loosely clustered points in the other two cases are better explained.

Biological Cybernetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "loosely explained", consider clarifying why the explanation is not precise. Provide additional details or context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "loosely explained" as a placeholder for a proper explanation. Always strive to provide as much clarity as possible, even if the explanation is simplified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loosely explained" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a past participle verb, indicating the manner in which something is explained. It suggests that the explanation provided is not precise or detailed, but rather a general overview.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "loosely explained" is used to qualify explanations that lack precision or detail. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and science. While not very frequent, the phrase serves to set expectations about the depth of the explanation and can be improved by providing additional context. Alternative phrasing, such as "vaguely explained" or "generally understood", can provide similar meaning. However, ensure clarity in your writing by not over-relying on this term without further elaboration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vaguely explained

Emphasizes the lack of specific details in the explanation.

poorly explained

Indicates a low quality of explanation, lacking clarity or understanding.

imprecisely defined

Focuses on the lack of a clear or accurate definition.

sketchily described

Highlights the incomplete or superficial nature of the description.

broadly outlined

Suggests that only the main points were covered, without going into specifics.

superficially addressed

Implies a lack of in-depth discussion or analysis.

roughly approximated

Implies an estimated explanation, not entirely precise.

cursorily covered

Highlights the brief and hurried nature of the explanation.

generally understood

Suggests a common understanding, rather than a detailed explanation.

tenuously connected

Indicates a weak or unsubstantiated connection in the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "loosely explained" in a sentence?

You can use "loosely explained" to indicate that something is described or defined in a general or approximate way. For example, "The concept of quantum entanglement can be "loosely explained" as a phenomenon where particles are linked regardless of distance".

What are some alternatives to "loosely explained"?

Alternatives to "loosely explained" include "vaguely explained", "generally understood", or "broadly outlined". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to start a formal explanation with "loosely explained"?

While grammatically correct, starting a formal explanation with "loosely explained" might undermine your credibility. Consider providing a more precise definition or framing the explanation as an introductory overview.

What's the difference between "loosely explained" and "poorly explained"?

"Loosely explained" suggests a simplification or lack of detail, while "poorly explained" implies that the explanation is unclear or ineffective. The former focuses on the level of detail, and the latter on the quality of communication.