That explains why

USAGE SUMMARY

"That explains why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain the reason for a previous statement. For example: She had been absent from work for a week. That explains why she was so tired when she returned.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over half the time, even lung samples grow out nothing that explains why a patient died.

The New York Times

So it is low fertility that explains why Europe's population is ageing faster than America's.

The Economist

At least that explains why I don't win more often.

TechCrunch

And it is politics that explains why this spending review is so minimalistic.

BBC

This is the part that explains why I'm so proud.

Huffington Post

Here is a chart that explains why this is important.

Vice

quinquefasciatus males [ 45], a pattern that explains why Cx. p. pipiens and Cx.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

That explains why bubbles can form.

The Economist

"That explains why she doesn't fit in.

The New York Times

That explains why he's always late home.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That explains why coaches are semi-wacko".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "That explains why" to connect a previously mentioned fact or situation to its logical consequence. It provides clarity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "That explains why", as it can make your writing monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases like "this accounts for why" or "this reveals the reason for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That explains why" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding statement or situation to its logical outcome or reason. It serves to provide clarity and understanding, as Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "That explains why" functions as a causal connector, used to link a cause to its effect. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very common, making it suitable for various writing contexts, although it's most frequently found in news and media, but also in scientific writing. It is important to avoid overuse and diversify sentence structure. Alternatives such as "that clarifies why" or "this accounts for why" can help to diversify writing and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That reveals the underlying reason for

Focuses on uncovering a reason that may not be immediately obvious.

That clarifies the reason why

Replaces "explains" with "clarifies", suggesting a more direct illumination of the cause.

This accounts for why

Shows how previous information is a reason that explains something in question.

That sheds light on why

Suggests the situation was previously unclear and is now becoming clearer.

That elucidates the cause of

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate the cause more explicitly.

That provides the rationale for

Emphasizes the logical basis or justification for something.

That's the explanation for

Uses a more conversational tone.

This justifies why

Indicates that preceding information provides a reason that defends or validates a particular outcome.

Hence, we understand why

Adds a tone of conclusive understanding.

The reason for that is

Inverts the structure to put the reason at the end.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "That explains why" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives such as "This elucidates the reason why", "This provides the rationale for", or "This clarifies the underlying cause of". These options add a level of sophistication and precision to your writing.

Is it correct to say "The reason is why" instead of "That explains why"?

While understandable, "The reason is why" can be redundant. It's better to say "The reason is that" or use "that explains why" which is more concise and grammatically sound.

When should I use "That explains why" versus "That's why"?

"That explains why" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly establishes a causal relationship. "That's why" is more appropriate for informal or conversational settings. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What are some synonyms for "explains" in "That explains why" to diversify my writing?

You can replace "explains" with words like "clarifies", "elucidates", "reveals", or "accounts for" depending on the nuance you want to convey. For example, "That clarifies why" suggests a previous lack of understanding, while "that accounts for why" implies providing a complete and sufficient reason.