an excellent explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excellent explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compliment someone on the clarity or quality of their explanation regarding a topic. Example: "After listening to her presentation, I must say it was an excellent explanation of the complex theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In describing his rise to stardom, Ms. George-Warren provides an excellent explanation of how Autrys 1930s radio career evolved.

The New York Times - Books

Firstly: there is an excellent explanation of this topic available as an hour-long podcast from the CBC.

The Guardian

This is perfectly understandable — and an excellent explanation for why we need the Federal Reserve or the government to give the economy another jolt.

The New Yorker

There is an excellent explanation in the Letters section in the May 10th issue.Lew Baxter Thornhill, Canada * Letters appear online only.

The Economist

Christian Malcolm, who runs against him in the 200m here, gave an excellent explanation of why Bolt is unbeaten in his captain's speech to the GB team before the championships.

The Guardian - Sport

The saga of the demise of the Comprehensive Child Development Act is an excellent explanation of why President Obama was prepared to go through so much political trauma to pass health care reform, even when many of his own party members were begging him to drop back, do something less earth-shaking and wait for a better moment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In an otherwise excellent explanation of the technology behind video copy protection ("Tweaking Technology to Stay Ahead of the Film Pirates, Aug. 2), you introduce a bit of the "why" into the "'how" that creates an imbalance.

The New York Times - Tech

This is an excellent candidate explanation for the odd pattern of total absence in the fossil record of any mammals much larger than one or two kilograms for the first 160 million years of the existence of this group [77] followed by an explosion of diverse large body mammalian forms in the last 60 million years.

Plosone

It contains some excellent explanation of the build-up to the crisis by George Cooper, whose book on the crisis still remains one of the best.

The Economist

I encourage you to read TechCrunch's Natasha Lomas excellent explanation of GDPR to understand what the European regulation is all about.

TechCrunch

"Young children will often come back to you after your very excellent explanation of death and still ask, 'Am I going to see so-and-so?'" Ghosh Ippen said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When praising an explanation, be specific about what made it "an excellent explanation". Was it the clarity, the depth, or the novel perspective it offered? Being specific amplifies your compliment.

Common error

Avoid using "an excellent explanation" as a generic compliment. Ensure the explanation truly stands out in quality before using such a strong endorsement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excellent explanation" functions as a noun phrase, where "excellent" modifies the noun "explanation". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for praising the clarity or quality of an explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

59%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excellent explanation" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to commend the high quality of an explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the phrase appears across varied contexts such as News & Media and Science. When using the phrase, be specific about what makes the explanation "excellent" to provide more meaningful feedback. Consider alternatives like "a brilliant elucidation" or "a superb account" to add nuance to your praise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brilliant elucidation

Replaces 'excellent explanation' with synonyms that emphasize intelligence and clarity.

a superb account

Changes 'explanation' to 'account', suggesting a detailed and comprehensive description.

a first-rate exposition

Substitutes 'excellent' with 'first-rate' and 'explanation' with 'exposition', indicating a high-quality presentation.

a remarkable interpretation

Replaces 'explanation' with 'interpretation', highlighting the unique understanding conveyed.

an outstanding breakdown

Uses 'breakdown' instead of 'explanation', emphasizing the simplification of complex information.

a commendable rationale

Emphasizes the reasoning behind something rather than just the explanation.

a masterful analysis

Highlights skill and expertise in providing the explanation.

a crystal-clear depiction

Focuses on the clarity and vividness of the explanation.

a valuable insight

Highlights the importance and usefulness of the explanation provided.

an insightful interpretation

Highlights a deep understanding of the topic and its explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "an excellent explanation" to praise the clarity and depth of someone's explanation, for example: "The professor provided "an excellent explanation" of the theory, making it easy to understand."

What are some alternatives to "an excellent explanation"?

Alternatives include "a brilliant elucidation", "a superb account", or "a first-rate exposition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify why an explanation is excellent?

While not always necessary, specifying why an explanation is excellent enhances your compliment. For example, instead of just saying "That was an excellent explanation", you could say "That was "an excellent explanation" because it clearly outlined the key concepts."

What makes "an excellent explanation" different from a good explanation?

"An excellent explanation" implies a higher degree of clarity, depth, and insight compared to a merely 'good' explanation. It suggests that the explanation not only conveys information effectively but also provides a thorough and nuanced understanding.