we explained to

USAGE SUMMARY

"we explained to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an action in which one person or group conveys information to another party. Example: We explained to the students how to solve the math problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We explained to them what we heard.

The Guardian

Joke, we explained to Mr. Diddy.

The New York Times

"Therefore, we explained to the public that this is not something to cause them worry".

The New York Times

"We explained to him why we couldn't buy Ashcroft in 100 years".

The New York Times

"We explained to them what that vision meant in architectural terms," Mr. Lane said.

The New York Times

"We explained to them that this is wrong, not only for the Palestinian track.

The New York Times

"We explained to him why it was so funny and now he really gets it!

Independent

"We explained to them how critical these reports were to the industry," he said.

The New York Times

We explained to him what we were doing and he seemed genuinely interested.

Independent

"In 1995, we explained to the Greek government who we thought was writing its declarations," Mr. Niles said.

The New York Times

I don't think they really got it at first until we explained to them what we were doing".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we explained to", ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to and who the recipients of the explanation are. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we explained to" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "It was explained to them by us", use "We explained it to them."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we explained to" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that the speaker or a group provided an explanation to someone. It is a common way to introduce an explanation or clarify information, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we explained to" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that an explanation was provided. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, and science. While versatile, consider alternatives like "we clarified", "we described", or "we informed" to better suit the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to maintain clarity by specifying who "we" refers to, and be mindful of avoiding passive voice constructions for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we clarified for

Focuses on making something clearer, emphasizing the removal of confusion.

we described to

Emphasizes providing a detailed account or representation.

we informed

Highlights the act of conveying information or news.

we detailed for

Focuses on providing comprehensive information about something.

we outlined to

Emphasizes presenting a summary or the main points.

we illustrated

Focuses on using examples or visuals to make something understandable.

we communicated to

Highlights the process of conveying information, ideas, or feelings.

we conveyed to

Emphasizes the transmission of information or a message.

we articulated to

Highlights expressing something clearly and effectively.

we specified to

Focuses on stating something precisely or explicitly.

FAQs

How can I use "we explained to" in a sentence?

The phrase "we explained to" is used to indicate that you or a group provided clarification or information to someone. For example, "We explained to the team the new project guidelines".

What are some alternatives to saying "we explained to"?

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

Is "we explained to" formal or informal?

The phrase "we explained to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the situation.

What's the difference between "we explained to" and "we clarified for"?

"We explained to" implies providing a general explanation, while "we clarified for" suggests addressing confusion or making something clearer. The choice depends on whether you're introducing new information or resolving existing misunderstandings.