they have explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have explained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone has provided clarification or information about a topic in the past, and the effects of that explanation are still relevant. Example: "After the meeting, I felt more confident in my understanding of the project because they have explained the objectives clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They are not, they have explained, political people.

The Guardian

They have explained why Americans don't save enough money — and come up with clever ideas to increase savings.

The New York Times

Now scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have reported that they have explained one of the great mysteries of the space age, one that loomed for 30 years as a threat to the credibility of Einsteinian gravity.

The New York Times - Science

A merger with Compaq, they have explained, would increase Hewlett-Packard's dependence on the low-profit personal computer business while diminishing the role of the company's crown jewel, its printer division.

The New York Times

Even though they have explained things as they went along, my understanding of it all has been little better than that of Veep's permanently baffled director of communications Mike McLintock, who ended the show with a six-year-old "baby" strapped to him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

UK researchers believe they have explained why some families are incredibly vulnerable to bowel cancer.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

And for some homeless kids, a school is all the stability they have," explains Barbara James, Project Director for the Texas Homeless Education Office THEOO).

Huffington Post

Of course, there are scientists who thought they had explained the variability.

The New York Times

Since then, they've explained the criteria and I was like, 'Oh, OK!

The Guardian

He laughed when I asked him if they had explained they were going to the soccer finals.

The New York Times

"What they've explained to us is that they're on par with the Sabres and Bills," Anthopoulos said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have explained" when you want to emphasize that a group has already provided details or reasons, and this explanation is relevant to the current context. For instance, "The scientists believe they have explained the phenomenon, but further research is needed."

Common error

Avoid using "they have explained" when the subject is singular. It's grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "he/she has explained". For example, instead of "The researcher they have explained the method", use "The researcher has explained the method".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have explained" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that a group has performed the action of explaining something at some point in the past, and this action has relevance to the present situation. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they have explained" is a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, used to indicate that a group has clarified or provided details regarding a particular subject or situation, with relevance to the present moment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds common usage across diverse contexts such as news media and scientific publications. While not exceptionally frequent, it remains a useful and appropriate expression. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is indeed plural and avoid misusing it with singular subjects. Alternatives such as "they clarified" or "they detailed" may offer nuanced options for expressing similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they clarified

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand.

they detailed

Emphasizes a thorough and comprehensive account.

they elucidated

Highlights making something clearer by providing a thorough explanation.

they expounded

Suggests explaining something in great detail and at length.

they interpreted

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something.

they justified

Emphasizes providing reasons or evidence to support something.

they accounted for

Highlights providing an explanation or reason for something.

they rationalized

Suggests providing a logical explanation, sometimes to excuse something.

they specified

Focuses on stating something explicitly or in detail.

they illustrated

Emphasizes explaining something by using examples or visuals.

FAQs

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

Use "they have explained" when referring to a situation where a group has provided clarification or information. For example, "They have explained the new policy in detail, so everyone understands the changes".

What are some alternatives to "they have explained"?

You can use alternatives such as "they clarified", "they detailed", or "they elucidated" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "they have explained" formal or informal?

"They have explained" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "they explained" and "they have explained"?

"They explained" refers to a completed action in the past, while "they have explained" indicates an action completed at some point in the past that has relevance to the present. For instance, "They explained the rules yesterday" vs. "They have explained the rules, so we should be able to start the game now".