as an explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing clarification or reasoning for a statement or action. Example: "He was late to the meeting, as an explanation, he mentioned heavy traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An improvement of cytoplasmic competence is proposed as an explanation.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

As an explanation, though, it gets dubious.

The New Yorker

But somehow, that doesn't work as an explanation.

The New York Times

Petrie repeatedly pointed to "over exuberance" as an explanation.

The Guardian - Sport

But as an explanation, it left much to be desired.

The Economist

Disruptive innovation as an explanation for how change happens is everywhere.

The New Yorker

"I suspect that our marketing is probably better than our museum," says Walsh, as an explanation.

The Guardian

He added, apparently as an explanation for the fatal shooting, "The man knew me".

The New York Times

This may no longer be compelling as an explanation for human sinfulness.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, while money is clearly key, it doesn't seem entirely sufficient as an explanation.

The New Yorker

"The social charges are too heavy," Veyrat says, as an explanation for his nosebleed-inducing checks.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as an explanation" to smoothly introduce the reasoning behind a statement, making the connection clear to the reader. For example: "The project was delayed; as an explanation, the team cited unforeseen technical difficulties."

Common error

Avoid relying on "as an explanation" too frequently in formal documents. Opt for more concise and direct alternatives like "because" or "due to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an explanation" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a reason or justification for a statement or action. Ludwig AI suggests that it serves to provide clarification or rationale.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as an explanation" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce a reason or justification. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English for providing clarification or reasoning. It is frequently found in news, media and scientific contexts. While versatile, alternatives such as "to explain why" or "by way of explanation" may be more appropriate in certain situations. When writing, it's best to avoid overusing the phrase and ensure it fits the tone of the document.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to explain why

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a more direct infinitive phrase, emphasizing the purpose of explaining.

by way of explanation

Adds a slightly more formal tone, suggesting a deliberate attempt to clarify.

to give a reason for

Focuses on providing justification, replacing the abstract 'explanation' with a more concrete 'reason'.

in explanation of

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of introducing an explanation.

as a justification

Implies that the explanation is intended to defend or vindicate an action or decision.

as a rationale

Substitutes 'explanation' with 'rationale', implying a more reasoned or logical justification.

to account for

Focuses on providing a comprehensive explanation that addresses all aspects of the situation.

the reason being

Introduces the explanation directly, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

the cause of

Highlights the direct cause or origin of something, often used in more scientific contexts.

for the sake of clarity

Emphasizes the intention to make something more understandable, rather than simply providing a reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "as an explanation" to introduce the reason for something. For example, "He was late, as an explanation he said his train was delayed."

What are some alternatives to "as an explanation"?

Alternatives include "to explain why", "by way of explanation", or "to give a reason for" depending on the context.

Is "as an explanation" formal or informal?

"As an explanation" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. The formality depends on the surrounding text and the overall tone of the writing.

How does "as an explanation" differ from "because"?

"As an explanation" introduces a phrase that provides reasoning, while "because" directly states the cause. "As an explanation" is often used to soften the introduction of the reason.