were explained

USAGE SUMMARY

"were explained" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when speaking or writing about something that has been given an explanation, usually something complicated or technical. For example, "The issues of quantum mechanics were explained in simple terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rules were explained.

The New York Times

But they were explained, and investors could evaluate them.

The New York Times

Those fears were allayed once the Uefa rules were explained.

The Guardian - Sport

The restrictions were explained to the Manthey brothers in Walcz.

The New York Times

Events that had seemed sinister were explained away.

The New York Times

Three deaths were explained by other reasons and only one was "indeterminate".

The New York Times

History and rudimentary geology were explained, and it was easy to ask questions.

The New York Times - Travel

Guards were positioned at the door, and new procedures were explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

But not all the prices were explained by the momentum of Christie Week.

The Guardian

Doctors thought the higher P.S.A. numbers were explained by Mr. Sosdian's age.

The New York Times - Health

First, this research study's goals were explained.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were explained", ensure the subject clearly identifies what was explained. For example, "The complex equations were explained in detail."

Common error

Avoid using "were explained" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. Instead of "The results were explained by the researcher", consider "The researcher explained the results."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were explained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received an explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The examples show its use in various contexts, often to describe how information was conveyed or clarified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were explained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something has been clarified or made understandable. Its usage spans various contexts, especially in scientific and news-related materials, with a generally neutral to formal tone. When writing, prioritize using active voice when more direct, but effectively employ "were explained" to emphasize that explanations were provided. Remember to match subject-verb agreement by using "was explained" for singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was explained

Singular form instead of plural.

had been explained

Emphasizes that the explanation happened before another point in time.

were clarified

Focuses on the act of making something clearer or easier to understand.

explanations were provided

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the provision of explanations.

were accounted for

Suggests a reason or justification was given.

were interpreted

Emphasizes understanding or finding meaning in something.

were rationalized

Suggests an attempt to find a logical or reasonable basis for something.

were detailed

Highlights that something was described in depth.

were illustrated

Focuses on making something understandable through examples or visuals.

were presented

Indicates that information was shared or made available.

FAQs

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

Use "were explained" when you want to emphasize that a subject received an explanation, such as: "The rules "were explained" to the participants before the game started."

What's a simple substitution for "were explained"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were clarified", "were detailed", or "were presented" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "were explained" is grammatically correct, active voice (e.g., "The teacher explained the concept") is often more direct and concise. Use passive voice strategically to emphasize the receiver of the action or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Which is more appropriate, "was explained" or "were explained"?

Use "was explained" for singular subjects and ""were explained"" for plural subjects. For example, "The rule was explained," but "The rules "were explained"".