they explained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they explained that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reporting what someone has clarified or detailed about a particular topic or situation. Example: "During the meeting, they explained that the project deadline had been moved up by two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They explained that they had a problem.

The Guardian

They explained that, to them, Think Coffee represents "high culture".

The New York Times

They explained that George Zimmerman was claiming self-defense.

The New York Times

They explained that their recording equipment had not worked.

The Guardian

They explained that they had taken some photographs.

The New Yorker

And they explained that all fish is net caught.

The Guardian

They explained that they had come to defend me.

The Guardian

They explained that the county's economy is primarily agricultural.

The New Yorker

They explained that they had been separately recruited for the job two weeks earlier.

The New Yorker

They explained that they had been sitting outside in the cool air, chatting and smoking.

The New Yorker

They explained that they had accidentally taken the subway to Queens.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject 'they' is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who 'they' are before using the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "they explained that" when the explanation comes from a single individual. Use "he/she explained that" instead to maintain accuracy and avoid misattribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they explained that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement that provides clarification or reasoning from a collective subject. Ludwig shows this usage is common across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they explained that" serves as a versatile phrase for introducing explanations provided by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources like news, science, and formal communications. While versatile, it's essential to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the subject 'they' truly represents multiple individuals offering clarification, as any misattribution could undermine clarity and credibility. When a more casual mention suffices, alternatives like "they mentioned that" might be more appropriate, reserving "they explained that" for instances where a detailed justification or reason is conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they clarified that

Focuses on making something clearer, implies removing ambiguity.

they stated that

Emphasizes a formal declaration or announcement.

they detailed that

Highlights the provision of extensive information or specifics.

they indicated that

Suggests a more subtle form of conveying information, not always direct.

they revealed that

Implies uncovering something previously unknown or hidden.

they disclosed that

Similar to revealed, but often used in the context of sharing confidential information.

they mentioned that

A more casual way of saying something was brought up in conversation.

they pointed out that

Focuses on drawing attention to a specific fact or aspect.

they affirmed that

Highlights a confirmation or assertion of something.

they communicated that

A broad term indicating the conveyance of information in any form.

FAQs

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

Use "they explained that" to introduce a piece of information or clarification provided by multiple individuals. For example, "After the meeting, "they explained that" the budget cuts were necessary".

What are some alternatives to "they explained that"?

You can use alternatives such as "they clarified that", "they stated that", or "they indicated that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "they explained that" when only one person provided the explanation?

No, it is not correct. "They" refers to multiple people. If only one person provided the explanation, use "he explained that" or "she explained that" instead. To make the explanation clear, you can also name the individual.

What is the difference between "they explained that" and "they mentioned that"?

"They explained that" implies a detailed clarification or reason was given, while "they mentioned that" suggests a more casual or brief reference to something. The former indicates a more thorough explanation.