One explanation could be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "One explanation could be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a possible reason or interpretation for a situation or phenomenon. Example: "One explanation could be that the increase in sales is due to the new marketing strategy implemented last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One explanation could be that the scientific environment has been a hostile one for LGBT people.

The Guardian

One explanation could be that everyone involved is bad at business.

The New Yorker

One explanation could be that he's trying to get ahead of potential recruitment issues.

The New Yorker

One explanation could be that when horn is polished it becomes translucent, whereas ivory remains opaque.

The Guardian - Arts

One explanation could be that salt blocks out the dreaded bitterness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One explanation could be the status attached to the company card.

The New York Times

One explanation could be in the study designs and the different outcome measures used in the various studies.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology

One explanation could be that each of these animals has independently found a way to synthesize tetrodotoxin.

The New York Times - Science

One explanation could be that GmSKRPs are specifically involved in regulating AS of a proportion of the soybean transcriptome.

Nature

One explanation could be that the administration wants to show that Trump is slashing regulatory budgets and rolling back regulations.

The Washington Post

One explanation could be that striation occurrences decrease with declining solar activity.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "One explanation could be", ensure the explanation is logical and supported by available evidence or reasoning, enhancing the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting the explanation following "One explanation could be" as the only possible or definitive answer. Acknowledge the potential for other valid explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "One explanation could be" functions as an introductory element to suggest a possible reason or interpretation for a particular situation or phenomenon. Ludwig shows that it sets the stage for presenting a plausible explanation, acknowledging that other possibilities may exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "One explanation could be" is a versatile introductory phrase used to propose a plausible explanation for a situation, acknowledging that other possibilities might also exist. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. The phrase carries a neutral tone and can be effectively replaced with alternative expressions like "A possible explanation is" or "It could be explained by" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When writing, it's crucial to present the explanation as reasoned and logical, rather than an overstatement of facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A possible explanation is

Uses 'possible' instead of 'one', creating a slightly more direct tone.

One potential reason might be

Substitutes 'explanation' with 'reason' and 'could' with 'might', softening the assertion.

It could be explained by

Presents the explanation in a passive voice, shifting the focus.

A plausible cause may be

Replaces 'explanation' with 'cause' and 'could' with 'may', suggesting a more causal relationship.

Perhaps the reason is

Uses 'perhaps' to introduce the reason, indicating a degree of uncertainty.

One hypothesis is that

Replaces 'explanation' with 'hypothesis', making it suitable for scientific contexts.

A contributing factor could be

Suggests the explanation is only one part of a larger cause.

The underlying reason may be

Focuses on a more fundamental or hidden reason.

An alternative interpretation is

Offers a different way of understanding the situation.

A likely scenario is that

Presents the explanation as a probable sequence of events.

FAQs

How can I use "One explanation could be" in a sentence?

Use "One explanation could be" to introduce a potential reason or cause for a particular situation. For example, "One explanation could be that the company's profits increased due to the new marketing campaign.".

What are some alternatives to saying "One explanation could be"?

You can use alternatives like "a possible explanation is", "a potential reason might be", or "it could be explained by" to suggest different interpretations.

Is it appropriate to use "One explanation could be" in formal writing?

Yes, "One explanation could be" is appropriate in formal writing to introduce a reasoned but not definitive explanation. However, ensure the explanation is well-supported and logical.

Can "One explanation could be" introduce multiple explanations?

While the phrase itself introduces a single explanation, you can follow it with additional sentences or clauses that present alternative or supplementary explanations. Consider using phrases like "Another possibility is..." to add more depth.