that was explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was explained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to something that has already been clarified or detailed in a previous context. Example: "The concept of photosynthesis is complex, but that was explained in the earlier section of the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Political parties became highly fragmented, a phenomenon that was explained partly by an extremely democratic electoral law (not a part of the constitution) providing for proportional representation.

Britannica

The first thing that was explained to me was that music, of all the different art forms, is the one most likely to make a person cry.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The cathodic polarization curve of passivated iron exhibited a complex shape that was explained by the electronic properties of iron's passive and prepassive films.

Electrochimica Acta

Also, the surface of coatings becomes smoother and brighter, that was explained based on the local adsorption of intermediates containing iron and tungsten species.

Electrochimica Acta

Each individual's decision affected the outcomes for the other three as well as for himself in a way that was explained in advance.

The Economist

The main observation is that the flexural strength of this material is distinctly rate-sensitive, a point that was explained by fracture surface porosity levels corresponding to the different loading regimes.

Mechanics of Materials

This allowed us to estimate the variance in the BOLD signal that was explained by either the event-related or the epoch regressors having discounted the effect of the other.

NeuroImage

Like many Jews my age, I was raised with stories of gas chambers, gruesome medical experiments, and mass graves — an evil that was explained as arising from the Nazis' failure to see their victims as human.

The New Yorker

It is instead rooted in increasing returns and the sort of intra-industry trade that was explained by Mr Krugman's new trade theory.Rapid trade growth over the past generation ("hyperglobalisation") is a different story, however.

The Economist

The phenotypic variance that was explained by each QTL was 9.4-79.0%.

Rice

In 2011-12, that was explained by revenue falling and costs up, partly down to hospitality sales failing to hit target.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was explained" when referring to a concept, process, or event that has been previously clarified, ensuring the context makes it clear what is being referenced. For instance, "The experiment's unexpected outcome, that was explained by a change in temperature, raised new questions."

Common error

Avoid using "that was explained" in simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. Instead of "The reason for the delay, that was explained earlier, was due to technical issues," try "The delay, explained earlier, was due to technical issues."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was explained" functions as a relative clause providing additional information about a preceding noun or concept. It indicates that something has already been clarified or detailed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was explained" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for referring back to previously clarified information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts. While versatile, avoid redundancy by using it judiciously and opting for more direct phrasing when appropriate. Alternatives like "that was clarified" or "that was detailed" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "that was explained" into your writing while maintaining clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that had been clarified

Uses "clarified" instead of "explained", which emphasizes making something clearer, and "had been" for a more distant past.

that was detailed

Emphasizes the provision of comprehensive information, rather than just a general explanation.

that was elucidated

Replaces "explained" with "elucidated", indicating a more thorough and detailed explanation, often in formal contexts.

which was accounted for

Shifts the focus to providing a reason or justification for something, instead of a simple explanation.

that was illustrated

Suggests the explanation involved examples or visual aids to enhance understanding.

as previously mentioned

Highlights that the information was discussed earlier, but doesn't necessarily imply a detailed explanation.

that has been interpreted

Indicates that the subject was assigned a certain meaning or significance.

that was shown

Similar to 'illustrated', but suggests more direct or empirical evidence was presented.

which has been rationalized

Implies that a logical basis or reason has been given for something, possibly to justify it.

which has been addressed

Suggests a problem or question was dealt with, not necessarily fully explained.

FAQs

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

Use "that was explained" to refer back to something already clarified. For example, "The theory's complexity, "that was explained" in the previous chapter, is crucial to understanding the research."

What are some alternatives to "that was explained"?

You can use alternatives like "that was clarified", "that was detailed", or "that was elucidated", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it redundant to use "that was explained" after already providing a detailed explanation?

Yes, it can be. If the explanation is immediately apparent, using ""that was explained"" might be redundant. Consider rephrasing or omitting it for a more concise sentence.

How does the formality of "that was explained" compare to other similar phrases?

"That was explained" is generally neutral in tone. Phrases like "that was elucidated" or "that was rationalized" are more formal, while phrases like "as previously mentioned" are less emphatic about the explanation itself.