an explanation of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an explanation of how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an explanation of how something happened, or how something works. For example: "The professor gave us an explanation of how the drug works in the body."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's an explanation of why.

The New York Times

IPodder.org offers an explanation of podcasting.

The New York Times - Tech

There is an explanation of sorts.

The Guardian - Business

This paper presents an explanation of the system dynamics method.

Environmental Modelling & Software

This chapter provides an explanation of environmental biochemodynamics processes.

Environmental Biotechnology A Biosystems Approach

Ask for an explanation of the reason.

Science Magazine

First an explanation of CAPE.

Forbes

(For an explanation of containers, see this article).

TechCrunch

For an explanation of the ad, watch the video above.

TechCrunch

It's an explanation of blackface.

Huffington Post

Do you actually need an explanation of what it is? .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an explanation of how", ensure that the explanation directly follows or is clearly linked to the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Be as specific as possible in your explanation to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "an explanation of how" without providing sufficient detail in the explanation itself. A vague or incomplete explanation defeats the purpose of using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an explanation of how" functions as an introductory phrase to provide details about a certain procedure or process. It sets the stage for a description of the way something is done or the way something works. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an explanation of how" serves as an introduction to detail the process of a particular subject. Although Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability, a search of Ludwig's example sentences yielded no exact matches at this time. When using this phrase, make sure the following explanation is clear and comprehensive to avoid vagueness. Some alternative phrases include "a description of how", "a breakdown of how", and "a clarification of how".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clarification of how

Replaces "explanation" with "clarification", focusing on making something clearer.

a description of how

Replaces "explanation" with "description", focusing on providing a representation of the process.

a detailing of how

Substitutes "explanation" with "detailing", emphasizing the provision of specific information.

a breakdown of how

Substitutes "explanation" with "breakdown", highlighting the analysis of a process into smaller parts.

an account of how

Uses "account" instead of "explanation", suggesting a narrative or descriptive approach.

an analysis of how

Replaces "explanation" with "analysis", suggesting a more in-depth examination.

a guide on how

Uses "guide" instead of "explanation", indicating a set of instructions or directions.

the process of how

Focuses on the steps involved in a certain procedure, replacing "explanation" with "process".

the mechanics of how

Emphasizes the working parts or operational elements, switching from "explanation" to "mechanics".

a rationale for how

Offers a reason or logical basis, differing from a simple description to provide justification.

FAQs

How can I use "an explanation of how" in a sentence?

You can use "an explanation of how" to introduce a detailed account of a process or mechanism. For example, you might say, "The manual provides "an explanation of how" the device operates".

What's a good alternative to "an explanation of how"?

Alternatives include "a description of how", "a breakdown of how", or "a clarification of how", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an explanation of how" formal or informal?

"An explanation of how" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the complexity of the explanation itself may influence the overall formality.

How does "an explanation of how" differ from "the reason why"?

"An explanation of how" focuses on the process or mechanism, while "the reason why" focuses on the cause or justification. For example, you'd use "an explanation of how" to describe how a machine works, and "the reason why" to explain why a decision was made.