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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was explained about

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was explained about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used, as "explain" does not require the preposition "about." Example: "The process was explained in detail during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Proper informed consent was taken and patient was explained about the procedure before starting treatment.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not much is explained about Choi's years in detention before her husband is also abducted, other than she did a lot of gardening.

Also a tiny bit more is explained about the mysterious Bradley Baker and LB - I can't wait for the next one!

News & Media

The Guardian

Patient should be explained about the potential risk of permanent hypoaesthesia and local tissue necrosis.

Entrepreneur participants who were willing to join the survey were explained about the purpose and how to complete the questionnaire given by authorized personnel.

(3) SOC-based explanation about the solutions of the same problems as usual explanation: In addition to the solution of each problem, the differences between problems were explained about eight pairs of problems which had similar surface/physical structures.

"At this point, what good is fighting it?" On the other hand, she added, "Very little has been explained about the benefits" of state-run schools.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Though not much else is explained about the wars that had ushered the downfall of American civilization centuries ago, the land is now ruled by seven Barons.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Despite the discovery of many hundreds of Iron Age sites in Scotland there is still a great deal that remains to be explained about the nature of the Celtic life in the early Christian era.

Prior to each FGD all women were explained about the study aim and consents were inquired.

Treatment-seeking subjects and their parents were explained about the nature of the study.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to convey detailed elaboration, consider alternatives as "was clarified" or "was elucidated" for greater impact.

Common error

The preposition "about" is unnecessary after the verb "explain". Using it creates a redundant phrase that weakens your writing. Stick to the simpler and more direct "was explained".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was explained about" functions as a passive verb phrase, attempting to indicate that something was clarified or detailed. However, Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was explained about" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI clearly states that the preposition "about" is unnecessary and redundant after the verb "explain". The correct and preferred phrasing is simply "was explained". While there are various attempts to use this phrase in different contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains, it's crucial to avoid this construction in formal writing. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "was clarified", "was detailed", or "was described" to convey your intended meaning with grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

Why is "was explained about" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "explain" doesn't require the preposition "about". The standard and grammatically sound construction is simply "was explained". Using "about" is redundant and considered incorrect in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "was explained about"?

Instead of "was explained about", you can use alternatives such as "was explained", "was clarified", or "was described" depending on the context.

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

To use "was explained" correctly, construct your sentence so that the object of explanation follows directly. For example, "The procedure was explained in detail" is correct, while "The procedure was explained about in detail" is incorrect.

Is there a difference in meaning between "was explained" and "was explained about"?

While some might perceive a subtle difference, "was explained about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Was explained" is the standard and widely accepted way to convey that something was clarified or detailed.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: