a straightforward explanation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a straightforward explanation of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a clear and simple description or clarification of a topic or concept. Example: "The teacher provided a straightforward explanation of the complex theory, making it easier for the students to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The secretary of state has not answered the key questions and has not given a straightforward explanation of how the system works.

The Guardian

A patient meeting the criteria for mental illness is immediately sent to the health counselor, who provides a straightforward explanation of depression and anxiety and offers a range of treatments like talk therapy, yoga and, in conjunction with a doctor, antidepressant medication.

The New York Times - Health

A detailed thermal analysis offers a straightforward explanation of the correlation factor in terms of pulse duration.

Microelectronics Reliability

And given the choice between a straightforward explanation of success and a miraculous explanation, clearly one should prefer the non-miraculous explanation, viz.

SEP

Our Plain English Primer To The 10 Top Fund Terms gives you a straightforward explanation of the key terms every fund investor needs to know.

Forbes

Its shortcomings are that it fails to supply a straightforward explanation of the late Cenozoic Coast Range volcanics and somewhat underestimates CR heat flows (Erkan and Blackwell 2008).

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Since a double-stranded RNA provides the template and thus the functional interface for the derivation of single-stranded catalytic RNA, a straightforward explanation for the origin of catalytic RNA is when double-stranded RNA would also have preceded the catalytic single-stranded RNA in evolution.

Biology Direct

These different substrate specificities provide a straightforward explanation for the phenotypes of era1 and ggb mutant plants.

BMC Plant Biology

Importantly, our model provides a straightforward explanation for the role of the guanine ligand in modulating the G riboswitch structure under physiologically relevant conditions.

Biochemistry

Along with some existing evidence that functionally important mutations are often destabilizing (Wang et al. 2002; Tokuriki et al. 2008), this result provides a straightforward explanation for how chaperone buffering of deleterious mutations could be involved in the evolution of new functions in client proteins.

Genome Biology and Evolution

This model provides a straightforward explanation for the compaction activity of SMC.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a straightforward explanation of", ensure that the explanation is indeed simple and easy to grasp for the intended audience. Avoid jargon and complex sentence structures.

Common error

Avoid using overly technical language or complex examples when aiming for "a straightforward explanation of" a topic. The goal is clarity and simplicity, so prioritize clear and concise communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a straightforward explanation of" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a description or characterization. It indicates that the explanation provided is direct, uncomplicated, and easy to understand. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a straightforward explanation of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a clear and uncomplicated explanation. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. It's frequently found in scientific and news contexts, emphasizing clarity and accessibility. When using this phrase, prioritize simplicity and avoid unnecessary jargon to ensure the explanation is easily understood by the intended audience. Alternatives like "a simple explanation of" or "a clear explanation of" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple explanation of

Replaces "straightforward" with "simple", emphasizing ease of understanding.

a clear explanation of

Substitutes "straightforward" with "clear", highlighting the absence of ambiguity.

an easy-to-understand explanation of

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that the explanation is easily understood.

a plain explanation of

Uses "plain" instead of "straightforward", suggesting simplicity and lack of embellishment.

a direct explanation of

Replaces "straightforward" with "direct", focusing on the absence of indirectness or evasion.

an uncomplicated explanation of

Emphasizes the lack of complexity in the explanation.

a basic explanation of

Suggests that the explanation covers fundamental aspects without delving into advanced details.

a concise explanation of

Highlights the brevity and succinctness of the explanation.

an accessible explanation of

Indicates that the explanation is easy to access and understand, regardless of prior knowledge.

a lucid explanation of

Uses "lucid" to emphasize the clarity and coherence of the explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a straightforward explanation of" to introduce a clear and simple explanation. For example, "The teacher provided "a straightforward explanation of" the concept."

What can I say instead of "a straightforward explanation of"?

You can use alternatives like "a simple explanation of", "a clear explanation of", or "an easy-to-understand explanation of" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a straightforward explanation of" or "a complex explanation of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have opposite meanings. "A straightforward explanation of" implies simplicity and clarity, while "a complex explanation of" suggests intricacy and difficulty.

What's the difference between "a straightforward explanation of" and "a detailed explanation of"?

"A straightforward explanation of" focuses on simplicity and ease of understanding, whereas "a detailed explanation of" emphasizes thoroughness and comprehensiveness. They serve different communicative purposes.