call for some explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call for some explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a situation or statement requires clarification or further details. Example: "The sudden change in policy seems unusual and calls for some explanation from the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The axiom schemata call for some explanation and comment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, if philosophy's distinctive methodology relies on synthetic intuitions, this still seems to call for some explanation of the source of their reliability.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But Mr. Romney has steadily been among the top candidates, and the fact that evangelicals give Mr. Gingrich more than three times the support they give him — 33 percent to Mr. Romney's 10 percent — calls for some explanation.

The New York Times

This calls for some explanation.

SEP

The notion of actualization employed in this account of omnipotence calls for some explanation.

SEP

Yet the nature of the indicators used calls for some explanation as well as the sources they are based on: the prevalence of the victims of torture among refugees represents the base on which our model is constructed; the number of asylum seekers and accepted refugees is very country dependent; and various studies have shown important fluctuations.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

So dismissing the case would seem to call for some fuller explanation beyond an implied "never mind".

The New York Times

What he meant by "speechless" was "What can I say?" Discussing RadioShack, a powerhouse in the sport with a first-year sponsor, Bruyneel said: "At first, I thought it was a mistake and I called organizer Javier Guillén for some explanation.

The New York Times - Sports

News that a pro-Palestinian group, the New Jersey Solidarity Movement, plans to hold a national meeting at Rutgers in October has angered some politicians and led the governor to call for an explanation from Richard L. McCormick, the university president.

The New York Times

Squaring the circle this way would call for careful explanation.

The New York Times

Publicly at least, Brazil's call for an explanation was met by silence in Canada.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call for some explanation" when you want to politely but firmly indicate that a situation or statement needs clarification. It's suitable for professional and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "call for some explanation" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "Why?" or "Can you explain?" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call for some explanation" functions as a request or demand for clarification or justification. It indicates that a situation or statement is unclear or unexpected and requires further details, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call for some explanation" is a grammatically correct and usable expression employed to indicate that a situation or statement needs clarification or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, with a slight inclination towards scientific and news-related sources. While direct and relatively formal, simpler phrases might be better suited for casual conversation. To enrich your vocabulary, consider alternatives such as "require clarification" or "demand an explanation" to achieve similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require clarification

Emphasizes the need for making something clearer and more understandable.

demand an explanation

Highlights a strong expectation for a reason or justification.

necessitate clarification

Indicates that clarification is essential and unavoidable.

warrant justification

Suggests that there must be a valid reason or support for something.

prompt a rationale

Implies that something has caused a need for a logical explanation.

invite elucidation

Suggests a need for further explanation to shed light on a topic.

raise questions

Indicates that certain aspects are unclear and need to be addressed.

beg for clarification

Expresses a strong need for clarification, almost pleading for it.

merit further discussion

Implies that a topic is important and deserves more detailed consideration.

require further details

Highlights that more information is necessary to understand a situation.

FAQs

What does "call for some explanation" mean?

It means that a situation, action, or statement requires clarification or justification. It suggests that something is unclear or unexpected and needs to be explained further.

How to use "call for some explanation" in a sentence?

You can use it to express that something needs clarifying, such as: "The sudden policy change "calls for some explanation" from the management."

What can I say instead of "call for some explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "require clarification", "demand an explanation", or "necessitate clarification" depending on the context.

Is "call for some explanation" formal or informal?

The phrase "call for some explanation" is generally considered to be more formal and is appropriate for professional or academic settings. In informal contexts, simpler expressions may be preferred.