an acceptable explanation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acceptable explanation for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing whether a particular explanation meets the criteria of being reasonable or satisfactory in a given context. Example: "The scientist provided an acceptable explanation for the unusual results observed in the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 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 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

So you can forget about the first reason being an acceptable explanation for oil's price drop.

Forbes

Unless the 30-year-old has an acceptable explanation for his latest social media foray - and after meeting rugby chiefs on Friday they said their position remained "unchanged" - then he may never play rugby union again.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 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

While this route is imaginable for the Indian ABB accession 'Peyan' and perhaps also for 'Klue Teparod', it does not provide an acceptable explanation of the origin for 'Pisang Awak', since no edible AB types are known in Thailand while the exceptional somaclonal diversity of 'Pisang Awak' indicates its possible origin as a triploid hybrid in this region.

Annals of Botany

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

Britannica

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an acceptable explanation for", ensure that the explanation genuinely addresses the issue at hand and is tailored to the audience's understanding and expectations. Clarity and relevance are key.

Common error

Avoid using "an acceptable explanation for" as a placeholder for deeper analysis. Ensure the explanation is specific and not a superficial justification that glosses over important details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acceptable explanation for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a reason or justification that is considered satisfactory or valid. As per Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acceptable explanation for" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to introduce a justification that meets a certain standard of validity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English. Its application spans various contexts, including news, science, and academia, indicating a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure that the explanation is tailored to the audience and relevant to the issue at hand. Alternatives like "a satisfactory reason for" or "a plausible rationale for" can be used to add nuance. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory reason for

Replaces "explanation" with "reason" and "acceptable" with "satisfactory", focusing on the adequacy of the justification.

a valid justification for

Substitutes "explanation" with "justification" and "acceptable" with "valid", emphasizing the legitimacy of the rationale.

a reasonable basis for

Changes "explanation" to "basis" and "acceptable" to "reasonable", highlighting the logical foundation of the reasoning.

a plausible rationale for

Replaces "explanation" with "rationale" and "acceptable" with "plausible", focusing on the believability of the reasoning.

a credible account for

Substitutes "explanation" with "account" and "acceptable" with "credible", emphasizing the trustworthiness of the narrative.

a convincing argument for

Changes "explanation" to "argument" and "acceptable" to "convincing", highlighting the persuasiveness of the reasoning.

a defensible rationale for

Replaces "acceptable explanation" with "defensible rationale", suggesting that the reasoning can be supported against criticism.

an understandable justification for

Replaces "acceptable" with "understandable", focusing on the ease with which the explanation can be comprehended.

a legitimate ground for

Substitutes "explanation" with "ground" and "acceptable" with "legitimate", emphasizing the lawfulness or permissibility of the justification.

a sound reason for

Changes "explanation" to "reason" and "acceptable" to "sound", highlighting the solidity and reliability of the justification.

FAQs

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

You can use "an acceptable explanation for" to introduce a reason or justification that is considered satisfactory in a given context. For example: "The scientist provided "an acceptable explanation for" the unusual results observed in the experiment".

What are some alternatives to "an acceptable explanation for"?

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

What makes an explanation "acceptable"?

An explanation is "acceptable" when it meets the criteria of being reasonable, logical, and satisfactory in addressing a particular issue or question. It typically aligns with established knowledge and is free from obvious flaws or contradictions.

Is there a difference between "an acceptable explanation for" and "a good explanation for"?

"An acceptable explanation for" suggests that the explanation meets a minimum standard of being satisfactory, while "a good explanation for" implies that the explanation is not only satisfactory but also clear, thorough, and insightful. The latter suggests a higher quality of explanation.