was explained

USAGE SUMMARY

"was explained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that something has been described or clarified to someone. For example: The directions to complete the project were explained to the team.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The concept was explained.

The New York Times

All was explained.

The New Yorker

The transfer was explained.

The New York Times

"This is how it was explained".

The New York Times

This was explained in Berzelian dualistic terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was explained to us.

The New Yorker

Once it was explained, they expressed disdain.

The New York Times

This selection was explained as feeding behaviour.

Journal of Sea Research

The Edit concept was explained with gentle enthusiasm.

The New York Times

Or, if it was explained to him, Cruz ignored it.

The New Yorker

The phenomenon was explained by a proposed model.

Materials & Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was explained", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the explanation and to whom it was given for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was explained" without specifying who did the explaining. This can create ambiguity and weaken the sentence. Instead of "The problem was explained", specify "The teacher explained the problem to the students."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was explained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received an explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English. It highlights that something has undergone the process of being made clear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was explained" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to indicate that something has been clarified or made understandable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, from scientific publications to news articles. The key is to ensure clarity by specifying who provided the explanation whenever possible. While active voice constructions might sometimes be more direct, "was explained" remains a valuable and versatile option for conveying information in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was clarified

Focuses more on the act of making something clear and easier to understand.

was elucidated

Implies a more detailed and thorough explanation, often revealing previously hidden aspects.

was expounded

Suggests a formal and extensive explanation, often in a lecture or written work.

was illustrated

Indicates that examples or visual aids were used to make something clearer.

was detailed

Highlights the level of specific information provided.

was described

Emphasizes the act of giving an account of something.

was interpreted

Highlights the subjective understanding or analysis of something.

was accounted for

Focuses on providing reasons or justifications for something.

was justified

Implies that reasons were given to show something was right or reasonable.

was rationalized

Indicates an attempt to explain something, sometimes in a self-serving way.

FAQs

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

Use "was explained" to indicate that something was clarified or made understandable. For example, "The concept "was explained" clearly during the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "was explained"?

You can use alternatives such as "was clarified", "was elucidated", or "was described" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "explain"?

While "was explained" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "He explained") can often make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider the context and your desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "was explained" and "was interpreted"?

"Was explained" suggests a straightforward clarification, while "was interpreted" implies a subjective understanding or analysis. For example, a set of rules may be explained, but their meaning may be interpreted differently by different people.