best explains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best explains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the most effective or clear explanation of a concept, idea, or situation. Example: "The theory of evolution best explains the diversity of life on Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is Conservative consternation that best explains Lid Dem motives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Determination of the DAG which best explains observed data is an NP-hard problem [1].

Artificial Intelligence

Geomorphology (as measured by several landform variables) best explains the distribution of soil types.

Ecological Modelling

Soil horizon A best explains the previous classification of the forests.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants

Mutual dislike is the dirty secret that best explains European paralysis.

The Economist

It's that challenge that best explains the emotional hold of the Kennedys.

The New York Times

This, surely, is the context that best explains the biblical appropriation of the Mesopotamian flood myth.

The Guardian - Books

That best explains why Spain have faced fewer shots than anyone, just 28.

The Guardian - Sport

What do you think best explains Finland's drop in the PISA results?

The Washington Post

Which analogy best explains what's happening at Cern? Can it be described in 200 words?

The Guardian

With almost two dozen reasons favoring this report alone, what best explains this?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "best explains" when you want to emphasize the most effective or accurate interpretation among multiple possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "best explains" when the explanation is still speculative or lacks strong evidence. Instead, use phrases that indicate possibility or likelihood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best explains" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of providing the most suitable or accurate explanation for something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to point out the most effective interpretation. The examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

33%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "best explains" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase employed to denote the most suitable or accurate explanation among various options. As Ludwig AI confirms, its utility spans across diverse fields such as Science, News & Media, and Academia, signifying its wide applicability. When deploying this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity about the subject being explained and why the chosen explanation stands out. Alternatives like "most clearly elucidates" or "provides the best explanation for" can be considered based on the specific context and desired nuance. It's also important to avoid overstating the certainty of the explanation, particularly when evidence is lacking. Despite its diverse use, context is everything: knowing your goal with "best explains" will dictate the best practice and the best alternative to employ.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provides the best explanation for

Uses a more verbose structure, highlighting the provision of an explanation.

accounts for in the best way

Indicates that something provides the best explanation.

most clearly elucidates

Focuses on the act of making something clear and understandable.

most effectively clarifies

Emphasizes the effectiveness of the explanation in removing confusion.

gives the most logical reason for

Focuses on the logical and rational basis of the explanation.

offers the most plausible account of

Suggests an explanation that is believable and reasonable.

supplies the most compelling rationale for

Emphasizes the compelling and convincing nature of the explanation.

represents the most accurate interpretation of

Highlights the accuracy and correctness of the explanation.

is the strongest indicator of

Shifts the focus to indicating or suggesting something through evidence.

is the key to understanding

Highlights the crucial role of the explanation in achieving understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "best explains" in a sentence?

Use "best explains" to indicate that a particular reason or theory is the most suitable explanation for a phenomenon. For example, "The theory of evolution "best explains" the diversity of life on Earth."

What are some alternatives to "best explains"?

You can use alternatives like "most clearly elucidates", "most effectively clarifies", or "provides the best explanation for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "best explains" or "better explains"?

"Best explains" is used to indicate the single most suitable explanation, while "better explains" implies a comparison between two or more explanations, where one is superior but not necessarily the absolute best.

What's the difference between "best explains" and "clearly explains"?

"Best explains" suggests that it is the optimal explanation among several possibilities. "Clearly explains" simply indicates that the explanation is easy to understand but doesn't imply it is the most accurate or suitable one.