an acceptable explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acceptable explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an explanation that meets certain standards or criteria for being considered valid or satisfactory. Example: "The professor provided an acceptable explanation for the complex theory, which helped the students understand the material better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

This hypothesis – that there is no purpose for the hiccup – should only be accepted in the absence of an acceptable explanation for its evolutionary persistence.

BioEssays

But watchdogs say that is not an acceptable explanation.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, many philosophers doubt whether an acceptable explanation of facts and correspondence can be given.

Britannica

But Professor Case of Chicago said she had a hard time imagining an acceptable explanation for Augusta National's refusal to admit a female member.

The New York Times

"The respondent fired four shots through the door and never offered an acceptable explanation for doing so," Nel said, adding that the sentence was "shockingly lenient".

The Guardian

The judges said Pistorius's evidence and explanations for killing Steenkamp were implausible and that he had never offered an acceptable explanation for firing four times through a closed door.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

So far, we cannot suggest any acceptable explanation for the observed thermal anomalies, although we strongly suspect that it is related to hydrate dissociation.

Earth, Planets and Space

The lack of acceptance for evolution was manifested by the participants in their lesson ideas that proposed to teach the religious perspective of creationism as an equally acceptable explanation for the origin of species.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

This person half-jokingly explained that quitting smoking provided a socially acceptable explanation for recent weight gain due to a change in work environment and holiday overindulgence: " It's hard because during Thanksgiving and Christmas, I really picked up some weight.

BMC Public Health

For a more acceptable explanation of the sudden increase in size and strength of some major leaguers, remember the first "Superman" movie.

The New York Times

A more acceptable explanation is that the nucleus pulposus is populated by notochordal cells.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an acceptable explanation", ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria for what makes an explanation "acceptable". This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an acceptable explanation" without specifying who finds the explanation acceptable. Unclear criteria can weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acceptable explanation" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object, denoting something that meets certain criteria to be considered a valid reason or justification. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acceptable explanation" is a common phrase used to describe a reason or justification that meets a defined standard of validity or credibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in news media, science, and academic writing. When using the phrase, it's important to specify the criteria for acceptability to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "a reasonable justification" and "a valid account". The phrase serves to provide clarity and validation across diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory rationale

Replaces "explanation" with "rationale" and "acceptable" with "satisfactory", emphasizing the reasoning's adequacy.

a reasonable justification

Substitutes "explanation" with "justification" and "acceptable" with "reasonable", suggesting a fair and logical basis.

a valid account

Replaces "explanation" with "account" and "acceptable" with "valid", highlighting the legitimacy of the explanation.

a plausible rationale

Changes "explanation" to "rationale" and "acceptable" to "plausible", focusing on the believability of the reason.

a convincing explanation

Emphasizes the persuasive quality of the explanation.

a credible account

Highlights the trustworthiness of the account being given.

a sound justification

Focuses on the solid foundation of the justification.

a defensible explanation

Suggests the explanation can be maintained against scrutiny.

a tenable rationale

Implies the rationale can be held or defended.

a supportable account

Indicates the account can be backed up with evidence or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "an acceptable explanation" in a sentence?

Use "an acceptable explanation" when you want to describe a reason or justification that meets a certain standard. For example: "The company provided "an acceptable explanation" for the delay in shipment".

What are some alternatives to "an acceptable explanation"?

Alternatives include "a reasonable justification", "a valid account", or "a plausible rationale", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes an explanation "acceptable"?

An "acceptable" explanation typically means that it meets the requirements of logic, evidence, or pre-established criteria. What's considered "acceptable" can vary depending on the context and the audience.

Is there a difference between "an acceptable explanation" and "a satisfactory explanation"?

While similar, "an acceptable explanation" implies meeting a minimum threshold of requirements, while "a satisfactory explanation" suggests it fulfills needs or expectations more completely. "A satisfactory rationale" may exceed basic acceptance.