a very good explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very good explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compliment or acknowledge the clarity and quality of an explanation provided by someone. Example: "After reviewing the complex topic, I must say that was a very good explanation of the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

So Tate & Lyle's new chief executive, Javed Ahmed, needed to provide a very good explanation today for the decision to get out of sugar refining.

The Guardian - Business

If the boss is to see any of that £4m, the Lloyds chairman, Lord Blackwell, will have to provide a very good explanation.

The Guardian - Business

From the point of view of Compass shareholders, you would want a very good explanation from the newish chairman, Paul Walsh, why Cousins has been allowed to accept Tesco's offer.

The Guardian - Business

But if the final choice isn't Janet Yellen, I think the president is going to have to offer a very good explanation of why not, or face a lot of grief from people who want to think the best of his administration.

The New York Times

"The good part of the new textbook was that it portrayed individual actors in Japanese history very well, and it gives a very good explanation of our culture," said Yasuhiro Yokoyama, one of the few board members anywhere who would describe his committee's deliberations.

The New York Times

This afternoon, there was word that the iodine 131 level had dropped below the official level of danger for babies but since there wasn't a very good explanation of how it got into Tokyo's water in the first place, that was less reassuring than it might have been.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Steve Sinnott, the NUT general secretary, said: "Mr Woodhead will need to have some very good explanations for his action.

The Guardian

Impassioned contrarians like Kirstein have enriched the debate over American art since the 19th century, battling complacency and more than occasionally calling the bluff of avant-gardists who don't have very good explanations for what they're doing.

The New York Times - Arts

That was a really good explanation of the real issue.

TechCrunch

"Me, I had a really good explanation," she said.

The New York Times

Ars has a very good, very long explanation of how they arrived at their findings, and the end result is an artificial benchmark bump of between 20 and 50percentt in all areas depending on which benchmarking tools you use, including industry standards like Antutu and Geekbench.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very good explanation" when you want to express that a reason or account is not only understandable but also of high quality, persuasive, or insightful. It suggests the explanation is well-reasoned and satisfactory.

Common error

Avoid using "a very good explanation" in extremely casual settings. Simpler phrases like "that makes sense" or "I understand" might be more appropriate for informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very good explanation" functions as a noun phrase that serves to describe or characterize a particular explanation. It highlights the quality of the explanation being provided, indicating its clarity, thoroughness, or persuasiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very good explanation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe an explanation that is not only understandable but also of high quality. Ludwig confirms its validity, and the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in extremely casual settings, opting for simpler alternatives. Related phrases like "a compelling rationale" or "a convincing account" can provide variety. When you want to specifically highlight the clarity, thoroughness, or persuasiveness of an explanation, "a very good explanation" is an excellent choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compelling rationale

Replaces "explanation" with "rationale" and emphasizes the convincing nature of the justification.

a solid justification

Substitutes "explanation" with "justification", implying a strong and defensible reason.

a convincing account

Replaces "explanation" with "account", highlighting the persuasiveness of the narrative.

a plausible interpretation

Emphasizes the believability of the given explanation, rather than its quality.

a satisfactory answer

Focuses on the resolution aspect, where the explanation effectively addresses a question or issue.

a clear exposition

Replaces "explanation" and emphasizes clarity, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

a valid clarification

Highlights the correctness and legitimacy of the explanation provided.

a thorough breakdown

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the explanation, going into significant detail.

an insightful analysis

Focuses on the depth and understanding provided by the explanation.

a reasonable argument

Replaces "explanation" with "argument", indicating a structured and logical presentation of facts.

FAQs

How can I use "a very good explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "a very good explanation" when you want to emphasize that a reason or account is not only understandable but also of high quality. For example, "The professor gave "a very good explanation" of the theory, making it easy to grasp".

What can I say instead of "a very good explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "a compelling rationale", "a solid justification", or "a convincing account" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to qualify an explanation as "a very good explanation"?

No, it's not always necessary. Using "a good explanation" is often sufficient. Use "a very good explanation" when you want to particularly emphasize the quality and clarity of the explanation.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a very good explanation"?

It is appropriate in situations where you want to acknowledge that someone has provided a reason or account that is not only understandable but also persuasive, insightful, or of high quality. This can be in professional settings, academic discussions, or even in everyday conversations where clarity and justification are important.