be explained as

USAGE SUMMARY

"be explained as" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something can be understood or interpreted in a certain way. For example: "The rise in popularity of vegan cuisine can be explained as a reaction to the increased awareness of animal welfare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The phenomenon may be explained as follow.

Plosone

This principle can be explained as follows.

Columbia University

This observation can be explained as follows.

Nature

This can only be explained as teenage rebellion.

The Guardian - Opinion

The thought can be explained as follows.

SEP

This assumption can be explained as follows.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

That can be explained as follows.

Environmental Systems Research

This finding can be explained as follows.

Chemistry Central Journal

It probably can be explained as follows.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It can be explained as follows.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

This result can be explained as follows.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be explained as" when you want to offer an interpretation or understanding of a situation, event, or phenomenon. Ensure that the explanation is clear and supported by evidence or reasoning.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on passive constructions like "be explained as", as it can sometimes make your writing sound vague or indirect. Consider active voice alternatives to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be explained as" functions as a connector that introduces an explanation, interpretation, or reason for a particular phenomenon, situation, or concept. It's used to provide insight or understanding, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be explained as" is a versatile tool for providing interpretations and reasons across diverse fields. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatically sound usage is most frequent within scientific and academic contexts, where clarity and understanding are paramount. While it's important to avoid overuse of the passive voice, this phrase remains a valuable asset for offering insightful explanations. Alternatives such as "be interpreted as" or "be attributed to" can offer nuanced perspectives, but "be explained as" effectively introduces a logical or reasoned account.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be interpreted as

Focuses on the act of interpreting, suggesting a subjective understanding.

be understood as

Emphasizes comprehension or a shared agreement of meaning.

be accounted for by

Suggests a specific factor or reason is responsible for something.

be attributed to

Links something to a cause or origin, often implying causality.

be clarified as

Highlights the act of making something clearer or more understandable.

be defined as

Offers a formal or precise definition of something.

be seen as

Indicates a particular perspective or viewpoint on something.

be viewed as

Similar to "be seen as", but may imply a more considered judgment.

be rationalized as

Implies providing a reason or justification, sometimes post-hoc.

be justified as

Suggests a validation or defense of something, often in response to criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "be explained as" in a sentence?

Use "be explained as" to introduce an interpretation or reason for something. For instance, "The company's success can "be explained as" a result of innovative marketing strategies".

What are some alternatives to "be explained as"?

You can use alternatives such as "be interpreted as", "be understood as", or "be attributed to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "be explained as" is a passive construction and is grammatically correct, using active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The phenomenon can "be explained as"...", you could say "Researchers explain the phenomenon as...".

What's the difference between "be explained as" and "be described as"?

"Be described as" focuses on providing a description of something, while ""be explained as"" focuses on providing an interpretation or reason. You would use "be described as" to detail characteristics and "be explained as" to offer understanding.