a reasonable explanation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable explanation for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the justification or rationale behind a particular situation, action, or phenomenon. Example: "The scientist provided a reasonable explanation for the unexpected results of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a reasonable explanation for what occurred, but unfortunately I can't get into that yet".

The New York Times

This is also a reasonable explanation for most everything in the "Adult Swim" canon.

The New York Times - Magazine

Molecular modeling provided a reasonable explanation for the SARs observed in this study.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Molecular modeling provided a reasonable explanation for the structure activity relationships observed in this study.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

The results provided a reasonable explanation for the improvement of weld joint quality in UVeFSW.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

GE, however, has a reasonable explanation for the rise in short-term debt.

The Economist

Imagining these extra dimensions as small and hidden is a reasonable explanation for their apparent absence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A reasonable explanation for the variation of the power-law exponent m was also presented.

Acta Materialia

Furthermore, the acceleration behavior of the unsteady-state gives a reasonable explanation for gas bubble coalescence.

Chemical Engineering Science

Additionally, the developed model provides a reasonable explanation for the particle distributions observed in Couette flow.

Chemical Engineering Science

Despite the illness providing a reasonable explanation for his failure in France, many commentators and fans were less understanding.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reasonable explanation for", ensure the explanation is tailored to your audience's understanding. Avoid jargon or overly technical language if addressing a general audience.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a reasonable explanation for" as a definitive answer if uncertainties remain. Acknowledge limitations or alternative perspectives to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable explanation for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object, introducing a justification or rationale. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable explanation for" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a justification or rationale. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts, especially in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure your explanation is clear and appropriate for your audience. Alternatives like "a plausible explanation for" or "a logical explanation for" can add nuance depending on the situation. Remember to avoid overstating the certainty of the explanation if there are remaining uncertainties to maintain your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plausible explanation for

Emphasizes the believability and likelihood of the explanation.

a logical explanation for

Focuses on the reasoning and coherence behind the explanation.

a convincing explanation for

Highlights the persuasive power of the explanation.

a satisfactory explanation for

Indicates that the explanation meets a certain standard or requirement.

a valid explanation for

Suggests that the explanation is well-founded and legitimate.

a tenable explanation for

Implies that the explanation is defensible and can withstand scrutiny.

a credible explanation for

Stresses the trustworthiness and reliability of the explanation.

an acceptable explanation for

Conveys that the explanation is permissible or meets with approval.

a justifiable explanation for

Indicates that there are good reasons or grounds for the explanation.

an understandable explanation for

Highlights the clarity and comprehensibility of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "a reasonable explanation for" in a sentence?

Use "a reasonable explanation for" to introduce a rationale or justification for an event, action, or finding. For example, "The scientist offered "a reasonable explanation for" the unexpected experimental results."

What are some alternatives to "a reasonable explanation for"?

You can use alternatives like "a plausible explanation for", "a logical explanation for", or "a convincing explanation for" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a reasonable explanation for" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to provide a justification or rationale that is logical and acceptable. This phrase is suitable for academic, professional, and general writing contexts.

What is the difference between "a reasonable explanation for" and "a valid explanation for"?

"A reasonable explanation for" suggests the rationale is logical and sensible. "A valid explanation for" implies the rationale is well-founded, and legitimate, carrying a stronger connotation of factual correctness.