circuitous explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"circuitous explanation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing an explanation that is indirect or convoluted, rather than straightforward. For example, "His circuitous explanation left everyone more confused than before." Alternative expressions include "roundabout explanation" and "long-winded explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The audience burst into laughter at the seemingly irreconcilable positions, which prompted another circuitous explanation from Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

According to my theory, we do not need to look for circuitous explanations for evolvability from an ns/rm core.

Biology Direct

Circuitous Blues New Haven.

The New York Times

A circuitous blame game is taking place.

The Economist

Guvench took a circuitous route to programming.

The New Yorker

The route is circuitous and often redundant.

The New York Times - Books

The others have taken a circuitous route.

The New Yorker

The route was slightly circuitous.

The New Yorker

Our route was necessarily circuitous.

The New Yorker

It was a circuitous journey home.

The New York Times - Sports

"Research is a very circuitous road.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circuitous explanation" when you want to emphasize that an explanation is not direct or straightforward, often implying that it's unnecessarily complex or avoids the main point.

Common error

Avoid using "circuitous" when you mean "circular". "Circuitous" describes a winding or indirect path, while "circular" refers to something that returns to its starting point, often implying a logical fallacy. For example, a circular argument repeats itself without providing new evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circuitous explanation" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "circuitous" modifies the noun "explanation", indicating a quality of indirectness or round-about manner to the explanation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "circuitous explanation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an explanation that is indirect, roundabout, and not straightforward. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans across diverse contexts, with a stronger presence in news and scientific publications. Alternative phrases such as "roundabout explanation" or "convoluted explanation" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure that the intent is to emphasize the indirect or unnecessarily complex nature of the explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roundabout explanation

Replaces "circuitous" with "roundabout", maintaining the meaning of indirectness but with a slightly less formal tone.

convoluted explanation

Substitutes "circuitous" with "convoluted", emphasizing the complexity and difficulty in understanding the explanation.

indirect explanation

Replaces "circuitous" with "indirect", simplifying the language while retaining the core meaning of not being straightforward.

meandering explanation

Uses "meandering" instead of "circuitous", highlighting the way the explanation deviates from the central point.

lengthy and complex explanation

Expands on the idea, specifying that the explanation is both long and complicated.

evasive explanation

Suggests that the explanation is designed to avoid a direct answer or commitment.

rambling explanation

Implies that the explanation lacks a clear structure and wanders from topic to topic.

tortuous explanation

Conveys a sense that the explanation is difficult to follow and perhaps intentionally misleading.

devious explanation

Indicates that the explanation is cunning and possibly dishonest.

obtuse explanation

Suggests that the explanation is unclear and difficult to grasp.

FAQs

What does "circuitous explanation" mean?

A "circuitous explanation" is one that is indirect, roundabout, and not straightforward. It often involves a winding path of reasoning or details before arriving at the main point.

How can I use "circuitous explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "circuitous explanation" to describe someone's answer or reasoning process, such as: "His "circuitous explanation" left everyone more confused than before".

What are some alternatives to "circuitous explanation"?

Alternatives to "circuitous explanation" include "roundabout explanation", "convoluted explanation", or "indirect explanation".

When is it appropriate to use "circuitous explanation"?

Use "circuitous explanation" when you specifically want to highlight the indirect and potentially confusing nature of an explanation. It's suitable when the explanation avoids a direct answer or takes an unnecessarily complex route.