an explanation for why

USAGE SUMMARY

"an explanation for why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain the reason behind a statement, action, or occurrence. For example, "He was late to work, but offered an explanation for why he was delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's seeking an explanation for why faeces is oozing from the pores of her hands.

The Guardian

I don't have an explanation for why now but I just want to keep on going".

The Guardian - Sport

But he never developed an explanation for why he'd done something so apparently out of character.

The New Yorker

Being asked to give an explanation for why your blood has done something is just impossible.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither agency could provide an explanation for why their statistics differed.

The New York Times

Today, she offered an explanation for why she had decided to run.

The New York Times

It hasn't yet given an explanation for why the rocket failed.

The Economist

"But I don't have an explanation for why teen crashes would be up".

The New York Times

Mr. Palaschuk had an explanation for why the company had not repurchased any shares.

The New York Times

On Saturday, Aurora's police chief, Daniel Oates, offered an explanation for why that might have been.

The New York Times

Then, write an explanation for why you selected that particular image.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an explanation for why" when you need to provide a detailed account of the reasons behind a specific event, decision, or phenomenon. It is particularly useful in formal writing and analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "the reason why" in sentences where the "why" is already implied. For example, instead of saying "The reason why he left is unknown", a more concise option is "The reason he left is unknown". The phrase "an explanation for why" avoids this redundancy because "explanation" inherently implies a reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an explanation for why" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or refers to a detailed account providing reasons or justifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is both correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an explanation for why" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to introduce a detailed account of reasons or justifications. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid for use in written English. Its prevalence in news, media, and scientific contexts underscores its suitability for formal and analytical writing. While it is important to avoid redundancy with similar phrases like "the reason why", "an explanation for why" provides a clear and effective way to convey understanding and clarity in various situations. The contexts of the examples from Ludwig's search results, highlight the many uses of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a justification for why

Replaces "explanation" with "justification", emphasizing the act of showing something to be right or reasonable.

a rationale for why

Substitutes "explanation" with "rationale", focusing on the underlying principles or logical basis.

a reason for why

Uses the more common term "reason" in place of "explanation", offering a simpler alternative.

the reasons behind

Shifts the focus to "reasons" and uses the preposition "behind" to indicate causation.

the cause of

Focuses specifically on the cause or origin of an event or situation.

a clarification regarding why

Emphasizes the need for making something clearer or easier to understand.

the logic behind

Highlights the reasoning and logical progression leading to a certain outcome.

the purpose of

Shifts focus from cause to the intended aim or objective.

the motivation for

Emphasizes the driving force or incentive behind an action or decision.

the grounds for

Focuses on the basis or justification upon which something is founded.

FAQs

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

You can use "an explanation for why" when introducing a reason or justification. For example, "The scientist provided "an explanation for why" the experiment failed".

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

Some alternatives include "a justification for why", "a rationale for why", or simply "a reason for why".

Is it grammatically correct to use "for why"?

Yes, using "for why" is grammatically correct, especially when "why" introduces a clause that explains the preceding noun. For instance, "an explanation for why" follows this pattern.

What's the difference between "an explanation for why" and "the reason why"?

While both phrases serve a similar purpose, "an explanation for why" is often used to introduce a detailed account, whereas "the reason why" can sometimes be more general. Furthermore, be cautious of potential redundancy issues with "the reason why", as described in the writing guidance.