they explained themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they explained themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals clarifying their actions, thoughts, or reasons for a particular behavior or statement. Example: "After the misunderstanding, they explained themselves to ensure everyone was on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They explained themselves.

The New York Times - Magazine

They explained themselves, Anderson said in an interview, by saying things like "Nobody is making you have sex, and you can buy condoms at CVS for $5.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The bigger issue for the country and the Obama administration is to make sure they explain themselves.

The New York Times

How could they explain themselves, the day-to-day struggle -- no money, but above all, no time -- without the whole thing sounding like some heartwarming Andy Hardy tale?

The New York Times - Style

You'd be astonished at how easy it is to put the frighteners on a politician by demanding that they explain themselves to a well-attended public meeting.

The Guardian - Opinion

'I don't want to talk about individual songs,' she says when I attempt to do just that, 'except to say that there is an abiding theme, and if you are bothered, they explain themselves.

The Guardian

And then when they explain themselves, they say, 'Oh, I want to repeal that.'" Later, after the candidates got a question about No Child Left Behind, Paul spent only a moment on his own position before moving on to Santorum: The Constitution is very, very clear.

The New Yorker

This is what they explain themselves, and it convinced me.

Huffington Post

Here they explain themselves in their own words.

Vice

"If they say they don't want to have a black character, see how they explain themselves.

Vice

And the accents of the designers are funny when they're doing an interview trying to explain something that is hard to describe; it's just amusing to see how they explain themselves.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they explained themselves", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, use "The team explained themselves" rather than just "They explained themselves" if the subject isn't immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "they explained themselves" when addressing an audience already familiar with the context. It can sound condescending; instead, assume a level of understanding and offer further insights or developments.

Linguistic Context

"They explained themselves" functions as a clause indicating that a group provided a rationale or justification for their actions, beliefs, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common. It suggests accountability and a desire for understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they explained themselves" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies a group providing justifications or reasons for their actions or beliefs. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is generally correct. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it aims to offer clarity and reduce misunderstanding. While alternatives like "they clarified their position" or "they justified their actions" may suit more specific scenarios, "they explained themselves" remains a versatile and acceptable choice in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they clarified their position

Focuses on clarifying a stance or viewpoint, rather than a general explanation.

they justified their actions

Emphasizes the justification of deeds, rather than a broader explanation.

they defended their behavior

Highlights defending one's conduct, implying potential criticism.

they provided their rationale

Stresses the provision of reasons, often in a more formal setting.

they gave their reasons

A more direct and simple way of saying they offered explanations.

they offered an account

Implies a detailed narrative or report of events.

they gave an explanation

A more general term for providing reasons or justifications.

they detailed their reasons

Focuses on providing a detailed account of their motivations.

they spelled out their motives

Suggests a clear and explicit explanation of their underlying motivations.

they accounted for their decisions

Highlights providing a rationale for choices made.

FAQs

What does "they explained themselves" mean?

The phrase "they explained themselves" means that a group of people provided reasons, justifications, or clarifications for their actions, behaviors, or beliefs.

What are some alternatives to "they explained themselves"?

You can use alternatives like "they clarified their position", "they justified their actions", or "they provided their rationale" depending on the specific context.

How to use "they explained themselves" in a sentence?

Example: "After the controversy, they explained themselves to the public in a press conference." Ensure that the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to.

Is "they explained themselves" formal or informal?

The phrase "they explained themselves" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "they provided their rationale".