be best explained by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be best explained by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that clarify or make sense of a particular situation or phenomenon. Example: "The increase in sales can be best explained by the recent marketing campaign that targeted a younger audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The absence of swing districts across America (front page, July 29) may be best explained by the legislative redistricting that has become a decennial tradition in state capitals after each census.

The New York Times

Several years ago, however, data from the Galileo spacecraft showed that the moon had a variable magnetic field, which could be best explained by the existence of an ocean between the shell and the core.

The New York Times - Science

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

Studies in Educational Evaluation

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

SEP

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

Forest Ecosystems

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.

Quaternary International

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.

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

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

Computers and Composition

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

Neuroscience

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.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Behavioural differences could be best explained by assuming that selective processes took place in the course of domestication (genetic changes) that are related to the attachment system of the dog.

Animal Behaviour

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be best explained by" when you want to highlight the most significant or revealing factor that clarifies a complex situation. For example: "The company's success can be best explained by its innovative marketing strategy."

Common error

While "be best explained by" is acceptable, overuse of passive voice can make writing seem indirect. Consider rephrasing to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The results can be best explained by...", try "The innovative study explains the results most convincingly...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be best explained by" functions as a connector, linking a phenomenon or observation to its most likely cause or reason. It indicates that a particular factor provides the clearest and most accurate understanding of something. Ludwig's examples showcase its wide applicability across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be best explained by" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to indicate that a particular factor or reason provides the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of a situation or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently used in science, news, and media, suggesting a relatively formal tone. When using this phrase, consider whether active voice might create a more direct style. Alternatives like "be most clearly understood through" or "be primarily attributed to" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Over all, it's a reliable and common expression for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be most clearly understood through

Focuses on understanding rather than explanation, emphasizing clarity.

be best understood in terms of

Suggests understanding something through a particular framework or perspective.

be largely due to

Indicates causation with emphasis on the extent of influence.

be largely clarified through

Highlights the means through which something is being clarified.

be primarily attributed to

Shifts the focus to attributing a cause, implying a primary factor.

find its best explanation in

Indicates that the explanation is found within something else.

be mainly accounted for by

Emphasizes that something is accounted for or justified by certain factors.

be fundamentally clarified by

Underscores that the clarification is foundational or essential.

be effectively elucidated by

Highlights that the explanation provides effective illumination or clarification.

be plausibly rationalized by

Highlights the plausibility of the given rationalization.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "can be primarily attributed to", "is largely due to", or "is mainly accounted for by". Each of these options provides a similar meaning while maintaining a more elevated register.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be best explained by"?

While "be best explained by" is in the passive voice, it's grammatically correct. However, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of saying "The phenomenon can "be best explained by" X", you might say "X best explains the phenomenon".

What's the difference between "be best explained by" and "be better explained by"?

"Be best explained by" implies that a particular explanation is the most accurate or comprehensive. "Be better explained by" suggests that one explanation is simply superior to another, but not necessarily the absolute best. The choice depends on the certainty you wish to convey.

Can "be best explained by" be used in informal writing?

Yes, though it might sound slightly formal for very casual contexts. In informal writing, you could also consider alternatives like "is mostly because of" or "mainly comes down to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.