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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be best explained

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be best explained" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that something can be explained in the best possible way, but the construction is awkward. Example: "The concept can be best explained through a simple analogy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The results indicated that the scale can be best explained by a four-factor solution.

At 50 m resolution, SOM contents can be best explained with soil and land use history factors (R2 = 0.28).

Science

Geoderma

Cultural variation and change can be best explained by these factors without describing richly elaborated practices, narratives, or psychological states.

Science

SEP

The high contribution of cattle density to the predictive model can be best explained by its correlation to other variables.

This can be best explained by different water use efficiencies with arid adapted species having significantly more positive δ13Cplant values than less water efficient species.

Their widespread distribution within a short time interval can be best explained by having a very long-term planktonic larval stage as previously hypothesized by some authors.

This preference for terms can be best explained by understanding the differences in how texts are valued and evaluated in these contexts.

Their medical significance may be best explained by the emerging concept that endocannabinoids are essential modulators of synaptic transmission throughout the central nervous system.

The discrepancies between the classical calculation and quantum calculation can be best explained by the threshold voltage shift and total gate capacitance degradation due to quantum confinement.

Differences among the number of established birds in European countries can also be best explained by differences in number of introduced species [51].

The changes in river management and work practices in Korea may be best explained with a chronologically progressing sequence of 'Natural', 'Disaster-prevention', 'Occupied', 'Park', and 'Close-to-nature' rivers.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clearer writing, consider replacing "be best explained" with alternatives like "can be most effectively explained" or "is best clarified by".

Common error

Avoid using "be best explained" as it can sound unnatural. Opt for more direct and standard phrasing to improve clarity and impact.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be best explained" functions as a passive construction, indicating how something can be understood or interpreted. However, Ludwig AI suggests it is not grammatically correct in standard written English, with alternatives such as "can be most effectively explained" being preferred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

83%

News & Media

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be best explained" is frequently used across diverse sources, particularly in scientific and news contexts. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically awkward. While its communicative purpose is to suggest the most accurate interpretation, alternative phrasing such as "can be most effectively explained" or "is best clarified by" can provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness. Aim for these alternatives to enhance the fluency and precision of your writing. Even if the search results are quite abundant, consider a more direct form to clearly state the intended message.

FAQs

What's wrong with using "be best explained"?

While understandable, "be best explained" is considered awkward. More fluent alternatives include "can be most effectively explained" or "is best clarified by."

How can I rephrase "be best explained" to sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "be most effectively explained", "be most clearly explained", or "be optimally explained" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "be best explained" and "be well explained"?

"Be well explained" suggests a satisfactory explanation, while "be best explained" implies the most suitable explanation. However, "be best explained" is grammatically awkward. So instead of "be well explained" you may find appropriate to use "be thoroughly explained".

What are some alternatives to "be best explained" in academic writing?

In academic writing, aim for precision. Alternatives like "be accurately explained", ""be thoroughly explained"", or "be convincingly explained" may be more suitable.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: