an explanation of sorts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an explanation of sorts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that the explanation provided is not definitive or may be somewhat vague or informal. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I can offer you an explanation of sorts, but it may not cover all aspects of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

There is an explanation of sorts.

The Guardian - Business

There is a an explanation of sorts for why the package arrived at the wine shop.

The New York Times

Then the perspective shifts to include Katherine as well, and we get an explanation of sorts for her lack of emotional availability.

The Guardian - Books

To a general American audience, such excited talk of Lions and Barbarians is probably rather alien and an explanation, of sorts, is in order.

The Guardian - Sport

So Hatto's illness, ovarian cancer, provided an explanation of sorts for where she had been all those years and burnished the myth of her remarkable renaissance.

The New Yorker

(Paul McCartney later released video footage of the show as an explanation of sorts; in it, Linda is seen dancing, moving in a possessed way, clearly working from a place where perfect pitch likely felt like a dumb concern).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The non-identity problem forces us to search for an explanation of what sort of wronging or rights violation this could be, given that this child could have no non-disabled future open to her to start with.

SEP

The ghost does not give an explanation of any sort, leaving the ghosted wondering where he or she went wrong.

Huffington Post

Rather, I want to offer an explanation of why this sort of rabid and crazy talk is gaining traction in our country.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Terry's acts of violence have, alas, an explanation of the worst sort," the advocates for children said in a joint letter in support of clemency.

The New York Times

"I definitely appreciate that Mike Davis is willing to step up before us and somewhat face the music and give us some sort of an explanation of why they're acting now when this stroke has been around for a long time," Steele said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an explanation of sorts" when you want to convey that the provided reason or clarification might not be fully comprehensive or satisfactory, but still offers some insight. It's suitable in situations where a complete answer is unavailable or unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "an explanation of sorts" when you're providing a complete and definitive answer. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the explanation is partial, tentative, or somewhat vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an explanation of sorts" functions as a noun phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the explanation being offered is not entirely complete or satisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Books

10%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an explanation of sorts" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that the provided explanation is not fully comprehensive or satisfactory. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to qualify an explanation, acknowledging its limitations. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and less frequently in formal or scientific writing. While the phrase is not particularly common, understanding its nuance is useful for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a possible explanation

Implies that the explanation is one of several potential reasons.

a potential explanation

Indicates a possible but not definitive reason.

a kind of explanation

Suggests the explanation provided is not typical or complete.

a basic explanation

Denotes a simple, introductory explanation.

a partial explanation

Implies that the explanation only covers a portion of the subject.

a limited explanation

Highlights that the explanation provided is restricted in scope.

a rough explanation

Indicates a general explanation, possibly lacking details.

a working explanation

Suggests an explanation that is provisionally accepted but may change.

a theoretical explanation

Suggests a hypothetical or speculative explanation.

some semblance of an explanation

Indicates that the explanation is vague or difficult to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "an explanation of sorts" to indicate that you're offering a somewhat incomplete or tentative reason. For example, "The manager gave "an explanation of sorts" for the delay, but it wasn't entirely convincing".

What's a similar phrase to "an explanation of sorts"?

Alternatives include "a kind of explanation", "a partial explanation", or "a possible explanation". All these suggest the reason isn't fully complete or definitive.

Is it appropriate to use "an explanation of sorts" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an explanation of sorts" is more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, a more precise phrase like "a tentative explanation" or "a preliminary assessment" might be more appropriate.

What does "an explanation of sorts" imply?

It implies that the explanation is not entirely satisfactory, complete, or clear. It's often used when the speaker or writer is acknowledging the limitations of their understanding or the information they possess.