a lucid explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lucid explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an explanation that is clear and easy to understand. Example: "The teacher provided a lucid explanation of the complex theory, making it accessible to all students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

What Silver has to offer is a lucid explanation of how to think probabilistically.

The Guardian - Books

Alan M. Nathan, a professor of physics at University of Illinois, has written a lucid explanation of BBCOR and baseball bat performance.

Harvard University

This amazingly comprehensive book provides a lucid explanation of modern macroeconomic theory and applies the theory to a wide range of international issues.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His first book, Theoretical Structural Metallurgy (1948), was a lucid explanation of how the properties of metals are controlled by their electronic structures.

The Guardian

They offer a lucid explanation of how the debt markets evolved from junk bonds to securitised loans, changing the types of deals that private-equity firms were able to finance.

The Economist

His book provides a lucid explanation of the philosophical and religious stakes involved, an explanation that goes back to the pioneering explorations of human nature in 16th- and 17th-century Europe by Descartes, Locke, the Earl of Shaftsbury and others.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And nowhere in its application or the various appendices have I found any lucid explanation of how Iowa gets to the $400 million figure.

Forbes

Us neither, but there is a fairly lucid explanation that seems to suggest a complicated mathematical formula is followed by the throwing of lots mixed with burning sage.

The New York Times

The letter from the head of US Airways, Doug Parker, to his employees, which the airline filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, is a fairly lucid explanation of the situation.

The Economist

Gregory was hardly the first scientist to emphasize the point, too: 27 years before, just as two states were enacting legislation requiring equal time for creation science, Stephen Jay Gould offered a characteristically lucid explanation of "Evolution as fact and theory" (Gould 1981).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

(Knopf, $27.50). A lucid account of this poorly understood period.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lucid explanation", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being explained and why its clarity is significant. For example, "The professor provided a "a lucid explanation" of quantum physics, which helped the students grasp the complex concepts."

Common error

Avoid using "a lucid explanation" when describing something that is already inherently simple and doesn't require significant clarification. Saying someone gave "a lucid explanation" of how to boil water might sound odd.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lucid explanation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'provided', 'offered', 'gave') or as part of a prepositional phrase. It describes the quality of an explanation, emphasizing its clarity and ease of understanding. As Ludwig shows, it often appears in contexts where complex information is being conveyed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lucid explanation" is a noun phrase used to describe an explanation that is clear, easily understood and often simplifies complex information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in News & Media, Academic and Science contexts. To enhance your writing, ensure the context warrants the emphasis on clarity and consider alternatives like "a clear and concise explanation". Avoid using it in simple contexts where the need for clarification is minimal. Some authoritative sources that often employ this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and MIT.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear and concise explanation

Adds emphasis on brevity alongside clarity.

an easily understandable explanation

Focuses on the ease with which the explanation can be understood.

a straightforward explanation

Highlights the directness and simplicity of the explanation.

an accessible explanation

Emphasizes that the explanation is approachable and easy to grasp for a wide audience.

a plain English explanation

Indicates the explanation avoids jargon and technical terms.

a simplified explanation

Stresses that the explanation has been made less complex.

an illuminating explanation

Suggests the explanation sheds light on a topic, making it clearer.

a well-articulated explanation

Focuses on the skill and clarity with which the explanation is delivered.

a cogent explanation

Highlights the convincing and well-reasoned nature of the explanation.

a perspicuous explanation

Emphasizes the transparency and clarity of the explanation, making it easy to perceive and understand.

FAQs

How can I use "a lucid explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "a lucid explanation" to describe something that someone explained clearly. For example, "The manual provided "a lucid explanation" of the software's features."

What are some alternatives to "a lucid explanation"?

Some alternatives to "a lucid explanation" include "a clear explanation", "an easily understandable explanation", or "a straightforward explanation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a lucid and clear explanation"?

While both 'lucid' and 'clear' emphasize understandability, using both together can be redundant. Choose one based on the specific emphasis you want to convey. Opt for "a lucid explanation" if you want to highlight the ease of comprehension, or "a clear explanation" for general clarity.

What is the difference between "a lucid explanation" and "a comprehensive explanation"?

"A lucid explanation" focuses on the clarity and ease of understanding, while "a comprehensive explanation" emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the explanation. A comprehensive explanation might still be difficult to understand, while "a lucid explanation" ensures clarity even if it doesn't cover every single detail.