all-encompassing explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"all-encompassing explanation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an explanation that covers all aspects or elements of a topic. For example, "The scientist provided an all-encompassing explanation of the phenomenon." Alternative expressions include "comprehensive explanation" and "holistic explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By making Nina and Andrew's father such a monster, Ms. Beattie seems to want to serve up an all-encompassing explanation for the problems they've suffered as adults.

The New York Times - Books

Faulting, the chemical disappearance of salt-rich deposits, and the general permeability of the rock were put forward – but a rather elegant, all-encompassing explanation seems to have been the most persuasive.

Forbes

This is not an all-encompassing explanation.

Huffington Post

Therefore, the testis-specific roles of the ubiquitination system proteins that we found now in mouse or human may have arisen at very different times, making unlikely a simple, all-encompassing explanation for their functions.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the fictional world of propaganda, the explanations are all-encompassing.

Forbes

The obsession with speed was all-encompassing.

The New Yorker

Certainly the players' gloom was all-encompassing.

The New York Times - Sports

Her will to be known was all-encompassing.

The New Yorker

But its political ramifications have been all-encompassing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The transformation elsewhere in the past decade has been all-encompassing.

The Guardian - Sport

Struggling to start a small business is all-encompassing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to highlight the ambition or the completeness of a theory, especially when contrasting it with narrower views.

Common error

Do not use "all-encompassing explanation" if the theory only covers a majority of cases. If there are known exceptions or secondary factors, it is more accurate to use a term like "comprehensive explanation" or "broad explanation" to maintain scientific and intellectual integrity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all-encompassing explanation" functions as a noun phrase where the compound adjective "all-encompassing" modifies the head noun "explanation". According to Ludwig AI, the hyphenation is essential for grammatical correctness when the modifier precedes the noun. It acts as a qualitative descriptor indicating the scope of the subject matter being clarified.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all-encompassing explanation" is a sophisticated linguistic tool used to describe theories or clarifications that leave no stone unturned. Ludwig AI confirms its high usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it often appears in scientific or investigative contexts. While it is a powerful term, writers should use it with caution to avoid hyperbole; it implies a level of completeness that is rarely achieved in complex fields. When used correctly, with the mandatory hyphen, it signals a high level of analytical depth and professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive explanation

Standard professional alternative that emphasizes the inclusion of all necessary details.

overarching explanation

Focuses on a singular theme or theory that covers multiple disparate elements.

exhaustive account

Suggests that no detail has been left out, often implying a very long or detailed report.

holistic explanation

Common in social sciences and medicine to describe a view of the whole system rather than parts.

universal explanation

Implies the explanation applies to all instances within a category without exception.

grand theory

More academic and formal, often used to describe a model that explains a broad field of study.

all-inclusive clarification

Uses clarification to emphasize the intent to make something clear rather than just stating facts.

sweeping explanation

Implies a broad scope but can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of being too general.

totalizing narrative

Used in literary and cultural criticism to describe stories that try to explain everything through one lens.

thorough interpretation

Focuses on the depth of the analysis rather than just the scope of the facts.

FAQs

How do I use "all-encompassing explanation" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object to describe a total theory, for example: "The researcher sought an all-encompassing explanation for the sudden shift in climate patterns."

What can I say instead of "all-encompassing explanation"?

Depending on your context, you could use a ""comprehensive explanation"", an "overarching theory" or a "holistic account".

Is "all-encompassing explanation" formal?

Yes, it is considered formal and is frequently found in academic journals like "Science" and high-end news outlets like "The New York Times".

Should "all-encompassing" always be hyphenated?

Yes, when it is used as an adjective before the noun, the hyphen is required to link the two words into a single modifier.