accept the explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept the explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is agreeing to or acknowledging a provided explanation. Example: "After considering all the evidence, I have decided to accept the explanation given by the witness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Lindley seemed to accept the explanation.

The New York Times

Mr. DiBiagio said he did not accept the explanation.

The New York Times

But Bamberger-Stemmann said she could not accept the explanation.

The Guardian

Some analysts do not accept the explanation that Comcast's troubles are related to the economy.

The New York Times - Tech

"People just accept the explanation that the German-speaking inhabitants betrayed us and supported Hitler and it's actually not true.

The Guardian

At the final, third stage, the judge weighs the evidence and decides whether to accept the explanation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Now, with so many companies struggling, the public will be hard pressed to accept the explanations for excessive pay.

The New York Times

We may have experienced some common indications of it ourselves, but we accept the explanations of others.

The Guardian

At the time, I accepted the explanation.

The New York Times

"Yep," Aidan said, accepting the explanation.

The New York Times

Brooks said that at the time she accepted the explanation.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accept the explanation" when you want to convey that someone has come to terms with and believes a particular reason or account for something. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what explanation is being accepted.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "accept", which means to receive or agree with, with "except", which means to exclude. For example, "I accept the explanation" is correct, while "I except the explanation" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept the explanation" functions as a verb phrase where "accept" is the main verb and "the explanation" is the direct object. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating its usage in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accept the explanation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate agreement or belief in a provided reason. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, primarily news and media, academia, and wiki articles. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to ensure the context and intended nuance are clear. Alternative phrases like "believe the explanation" or "acknowledge the explanation" can be used to convey slightly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believe the explanation

Replaces "accept" with "believe", emphasizing the internal conviction rather than just the acknowledgement.

acknowledge the explanation

Uses "acknowledge" instead of "accept", suggesting a more formal recognition of the explanation's validity.

agree with the explanation

Substitutes "accept" with "agree with", highlighting the alignment of one's own understanding with the given explanation.

concede the explanation

Implies a reluctant acceptance of the explanation, often in the face of opposing evidence or arguments.

buy the explanation

An informal way of saying one believes the explanation, often implying some skepticism beforehand.

embrace the explanation

Suggests a enthusiastic and full acceptance of the explanation.

be persuaded by the explanation

Focuses on the process of being convinced by the explanation, rather than the act of accepting it.

yield to the explanation

Implies giving in to the explanation, possibly after initial resistance or doubt.

defer to the explanation

Suggests accepting the explanation due to respect for the source or authority providing it.

take the explanation at face value

Indicates accepting the explanation without further scrutiny or investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "accept the explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "accept the explanation" to indicate agreement or belief in a reason provided for something. For instance, "After reviewing the evidence, the committee decided to accept the explanation offered by the CEO".

What are some alternatives to saying "accept the explanation"?

Alternatives include "believe the explanation", "acknowledge the explanation", or "agree with the explanation depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it better to say "accept the explanation" or "understand the explanation"?

"Accept the explanation" implies belief or agreement, while "understand the explanation" simply means comprehending it. You might understand an explanation without necessarily accepting it as true.

When is it appropriate to use "concede the explanation" instead of "accept the explanation"?

Use "concede the explanation" when you are reluctantly accepting an explanation, often in the face of conflicting evidence or after initial disagreement. It suggests a yielding of one's initial position, in contrast to simply accepting something.