a plausible explanation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plausible explanation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reasonable or believable interpretation or rationale for a particular situation or phenomenon. Example: "The scientist provided a plausible explanation of the unusual weather patterns observed this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has, he said, never offered a plausible explanation of what happened.

The New York Times - Sports

"No one has given a plausible explanation of how you can run an effective campaign.

The New York Times

We then use our theory to provide a plausible explanation of some existing data.

Neural Networks

A contribution of grain boundary sliding to deformation gives a plausible explanation of these results.

Acta Materialia

The evolutionary importance of shame and humiliation provides a plausible explanation of why more unequal societies suffer more violence".

The Guardian - Books

But he said his finding put the onus on Mr. Matter to provide a plausible explanation of why the patterns didn't match up.

The New York Times - Books

This site has a plausible explanation of the taking over of the island, features pictures of Prince Roy and his family, and is full of convincing officialese.

The Guardian

It is suggested that CR is a plausible explanation of a potential mechanism that allows the brain to compensate deficiencies caused either by brain damage or functional decline.

Psiquiatría Biológica

To demonstrate a plausible explanation of aging changes and to reduce the controversy relative to accommodation by using a mechanical model of the catenary theory of lens change.

Ophthalmology

A plausible explanation of the increase in yield stress with D, based on the development of the dislocation substructure able to modify such a property, has been proposed.

International Journal of Fatigue

In an article, Rosmann wrote that the agrarian imperative theory "is a plausible explanation of the motivations of farmers to be agricultural producers and to sometimes end their lives".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a plausible explanation of", ensure that the explanation is supported by evidence or logical reasoning to enhance its credibility. Avoid presenting it as a definitive answer if uncertainties remain.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a plausible explanation of" as the only possible explanation. Acknowledge alternative viewpoints or contributing factors, as overconfidence can undermine the argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible explanation of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or identifies a reason, interpretation, or account that is considered believable or likely. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a reasonable justification supported by available evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plausible explanation of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a believable or likely reason for something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its occurrence is most frequent in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting its utility in presenting reasoned arguments and interpretations. While alternatives like "a credible explanation of" or "a reasonable explanation of" exist, the choice depends on the specific emphasis desired – whether it's believability, logical coherence, or persuasive power. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure that the explanation is well-supported and not presented as the sole possibility to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a credible explanation of

Replaces "plausible" with "credible", emphasizing the trustworthiness and believability of the explanation.

a reasonable explanation of

Substitutes "plausible" with "reasonable", highlighting the logical and rational nature of the explanation.

a convincing explanation of

Changes "plausible" to "convincing", focusing on the power of the explanation to persuade someone.

a likely explanation of

Replaces "plausible" with "likely", emphasizing the probability and high chance of the explanation being true.

a tenable explanation of

Uses "tenable" instead of "plausible", suggesting the explanation is defensible and can be maintained against criticism.

a sound explanation of

Swaps "plausible" with "sound", highlighting the solid and well-founded nature of the explanation.

a valid explanation of

Replaces "plausible" with "valid", indicating that the explanation is accurate and well-grounded.

a conceivable explanation of

Changes "plausible" to "conceivable", focusing on the possibility and imaginability of the explanation.

a potential explanation of

Replaces "plausible" with "potential", highlighting that the explanation is a possibility that warrants consideration.

an acceptable explanation of

Uses "acceptable" instead of "plausible", indicating that the explanation is satisfactory and can be agreed upon.

FAQs

How can I use "a plausible explanation of" in a sentence?

Use "a plausible explanation of" to introduce a reason or justification that seems believable or likely, such as: "The scientist offered "a plausible explanation of" the experiment's unexpected results."

What are some alternatives to saying "a plausible explanation of"?

You can use phrases like "a credible account of", "a reasonable interpretation of", or "a convincing argument for" as alternatives depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a plausible explanation of" and "a possible explanation of"?

"A plausible explanation of" suggests the explanation is believable and likely, whereas "a possible explanation of" simply indicates it's not impossible. Plausible implies a higher degree of likelihood and supporting evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "a plausible explanation of" in writing?

Use "a plausible explanation of" when presenting a reason or theory that seems reasonable given the available evidence. It's suitable for academic papers, news articles, and analytical reports where presenting a well-supported viewpoint is crucial.