we were explained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were explained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you're referring to an instance of information being conveyed to you and other people. For example: After reviewing the documents, we were explained the contract terms in detail.

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We were explained that when they took Sashko from his family, he did not speak for about half a year at all.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We knew we were explaining this to somebody who would then have to explain it to Michael," Steeg said.

The New York Times

We were explaining the newcomers to the people who were here already, and we were explaining New York to the newcomers.

Los Angeles Times

"We are interested in knowing why we humans are the way we are," explained Dr. Daniel E. Lieberman, a paleontologist at George Washington University.

The New York Times

"We think we're pretty good and we are," explained John Howard in his Australia Day address that year.

The Guardian - Opinion

And we are explaining.

The Guardian - Business

"We're explaining how we see the world".

The Guardian - Business

"We're explaining who Osama Bin Laden is," she wrote.

The New York Times

When we're explaining an idea to ourselves, we should try to look for relationships.

Harvard Business Review

"That's why we're explaining each product in plain English".

The New York Times - Tech

"But we are explaining the legal system and his right to defend himself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were explained", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the explanation and what was explained. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "we were explained" if an active voice can provide a more direct and concise sentence. For example, instead of "we were explained the rules", consider "they explained the rules to us".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were explained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) received an explanation. It highlights that someone else performed the action of explaining, as shown in the example provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were explained" is a grammatically correct, though infrequent, passive construction used to indicate that an explanation was provided to a group. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While acceptable, it is often more effective to use an active voice for clarity and directness. Alternatives include "they explained to us" or "we received an explanation". Usage spans across news, business, and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who provided the explanation and the subject matter. It's important to be mindful of passive voice overuse and consider more direct sentence structures when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was explained to us

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize that the explanation was directed towards the group.

we received an explanation

Focuses on the reception of the explanation rather than the act of explaining.

we were given an explanation

Similar to receiving an explanation, but highlights the act of giving.

an explanation was provided to us

More formal way of saying that information was shared with the group.

we had it explained to us

Highlights the experience of having something clarified for the group.

the details were explained to us

Specifies that details were the subject of the explanation.

we obtained an explanation

Indicates that the explanation was acquired or obtained.

clarification was provided to us

Emphasizes that the purpose was to clarify something for the group.

we learned the explanation

Focuses on the learning aspect after the explanation.

the situation was explained to us

Specifies that the explanation pertained to a specific situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were explained" to sound more active?

Instead of the passive construction "we were explained", try using an active voice. Options include "they explained to us", "we learned that", or "we received an explanation". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "we were explained" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were explained" is grammatically correct, but it's a passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. However, using an active voice often results in clearer and more direct writing.

What are some alternatives to "we were explained" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "it was explained to us", "we received clarification", or "an explanation was provided". These options maintain a formal tone while clearly conveying that information was shared.

How can I avoid using passive voice when I want to say "we were explained"?

To avoid passive voice, focus on who did the explaining. For example, instead of "we were explained the process", say "the instructor explained the process to us" or "the guide clarified the process for us". This makes the sentence more direct and engaging.