asked for explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked for explanation" is not entirely correct in English; it should be "asked for an explanation." You can use it when referring to a situation where someone requested clarification or more information about a topic.
Example: "During the meeting, she asked for an explanation regarding the new policy changes."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When asked for explanation, their spokesmen would not elaborate on reasons for the decision.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When he asked for explanations, the police just wrote more tickets.

The Guardian

"When I asked for explanations, they were like, 'Because it's like that,'" she recalls tartly.

The Guardian

De Beke says the IMF has also asked for explanations about a state guarantee of $200m given for defence procurement.

The Guardian

The letter, published on the commission's Web site and described as routine by a commission spokesman yesterday, asked for explanations of 15 expenditures totaling $8,250.

The New York Times

They were kicked and hit with guns if they moved or asked for explanations for their detention.

Vice

VICE also asked for explanations from the Education Ministry and visited schools in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, and Barranquilla.

Vice

An older woman with low educational level stated that it was a bit difficult to complete and asked for explanations.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

They did not know how to apply the absolute risk provided in EsPeR and asked for explanations.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

However my aunt has been abused and a friend of mine consistently brought up the Paris attacks asking for explanation and it made me feel uncomfortable.

The Guardian

Subtleties of the language were to a large extent poorly comprehended, and sometimes the conversations were interrupted by the interviewer asking for explanation for expressions or words.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "asked for explanation" is understandable, using "asked for an explanation" is grammatically preferable and more common in formal writing. Consider the context: formal situations benefit from the grammatically correct version.

Common error

Avoid omitting the indefinite article "an" before "explanation". Saying "asked for explanation" can sound slightly awkward or incomplete to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked for explanation" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request for clarification or justification. Ludwig identifies that while understandable, the phrase is improved by including the article 'an'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "asked for explanation" is a common way to express a request for clarification or justification. While understandable, Ludwig suggests that using "asked for an explanation" is grammatically preferable, as also explained by Ludwig AI. It is mostly used in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, and when writing, it's important to be mindful of the formality of the situation and choose the most appropriate phrasing, and avoid skipping the article "an" in formal writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested clarification

More formal and direct; implies a specific point needed to be made clearer.

sought an explanation

Highly formal; suggests a thorough and deliberate search for understanding.

inquired about the reason

Indirect; focuses on the cause or rationale behind something.

demanded an explanation

Strong and assertive; implies a right or expectation to receive justification.

pressed for details

Suggests repeated attempts to get a more comprehensive account.

wanted to know why

Simple and direct; expresses a desire to understand the cause.

asked the reason for

A slight variation, placing emphasis on the reason itself.

required justification

Formal; indicates a need for something to be proven or defended.

requested details regarding

More formal alternative to "asked for explanation"

sought reasons for

Implies a formal request for understanding

FAQs

Is it correct to say "asked for explanation" or "asked for an explanation"?

While "asked for explanation" is sometimes used, especially in less formal contexts, the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase is "asked for "asked for an explanation"".

What are some alternative ways to say "asked for explanation"?

You can use phrases like "requested clarification", "sought an explanation", or "inquired about the reason" depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "asked for explanation"?

The phrase "asked for explanation" is mostly used in informal contexts or when brevity is preferred. However, in formal writing, it is always better to use "asked for "asked for an explanation"".

What is the difference between "asked for explanation" and "demanded an explanation"?

"Asked for explanation" is a neutral request for clarification. "Demanded an explanation" implies a stronger, more forceful request, suggesting that the speaker feels entitled to an explanation.