concoct explanations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concoct explanations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or inventing explanations, often in a somewhat deceptive or imaginative manner. Example: "When questioned about his absence, he began to concoct explanations that seemed increasingly far-fetched."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is not difficult to concoct explanations for the discrepancy between promise and reality.

The New York Times

Neurologists also happened upon the mind's tendency to concoct explanations for puzzling events.

The New York Times - Health

Most successful societies construct their narratives backward: Theorists concoct explanations for the achieved successes of these societies.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, people tend to concoct explanations for them after the fact, which makes them appear more predictable, and less random, than they are.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In his 2007 best-seller "The Black Swan", Nassim Nicholas Taleb argued that such excursions from the normal have three things in common: they are outliers, being wholly unexpected; their impact is extreme; and, in hindsight, we rationalise them by concocting explanations that make them seem (or so we like to think) predictable.

The Economist

The left hemisphere was just concocting an explanation, Dr. Gazzaniga said.

The New York Times - Science

Mr Taleb defines a Black Swan as an event that is unexpected, has an extreme impact and is made to seem predictable by explanations concocted afterwards.

The Economist

To sophisticated sports fans, this defense may seem as believable as some of the explanations concocted by Ring Lardner's fictional pitcher, Alibi Ike.

The New York Times - Sports

If you wanted to concoct a dusty explanation that mimicked the effects of dark energy, you could do it.

Forbes

Data showing that the Japanese had higher I.Q.s than people of European descent, for example, prompted the British psychometrician and eugenicist Richard Lynn to concoct an elaborate evolutionary explanation involving the Himalayas, really cold weather, premodern hunting practices, brain size, and specialized vowel sounds.

The New Yorker

Prosecutors say that after the fact, she and Mr. Bacanovic concocted a false explanation for the sale -- an agreement to sell if the share price fell below $60.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "concoct explanations" when you want to emphasize the inventive or possibly deceptive nature of the reasons being created. It suggests a degree of ingenuity or artifice.

Common error

While "concoct explanations" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings. In those contexts, consider more neutral alternatives like "formulate reasons" or "provide justifications".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concoct explanations" typically functions as a verb phrase, where "concoct" is the verb and "explanations" is the direct object. It describes the action of creating or inventing explanations, often implying a degree of deception or creativity. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concoct explanations" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of inventing or creating explanations, often with a hint of deception or artifice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing most often in News & Media and scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful of its implication of skepticism and consider more neutral alternatives like "provide reasons" in formal contexts. Related phrases such as "fabricate reasons" or "invent justifications" can be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invent justifications

Focuses on the act of creating justifications, highlighting the inventive aspect more than potential deception.

fabricate reasons

Emphasizes the artificial or made-up nature of the reasons provided.

devise excuses

Highlights the creation of excuses, often to avoid blame or responsibility.

contrive reasons

Stresses the artificial and possibly elaborate nature of the reasons.

formulate rationalizations

Implies a more intellectual approach to creating reasons, often to justify actions.

create justifications

A more neutral alternative, simply stating the act of creating justifications without implying deceit.

spin narratives

Focuses on shaping a story or explanation to influence perception.

assemble a rationale

Implies a careful and deliberate construction of a logical explanation.

dream up excuses

Suggests a more imaginative and perhaps unrealistic approach to creating excuses.

cook up reasons

Informal and suggests a quick, possibly deceptive creation of reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "concoct explanations" in a sentence?

You can use "concoct explanations" to describe someone creating elaborate or deceptive reasons for something. For instance: "When questioned about his absence, he began to "concoct explanations" that seemed increasingly far-fetched".

What's the difference between "concoct explanations" and "provide reasons"?

"Concoct explanations" implies a degree of invention or artifice, suggesting the explanations might not be entirely truthful or genuine. "Provide reasons" is a more neutral phrase that simply means to give explanations without implying anything about their truthfulness.

Are there any synonyms for "concoct explanations" that are more formal?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives like "formulate rationalizations", "devise justifications", or "create justifications" in professional or academic contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "concoct explanations" in academic writing?

While acceptable, use "concoct explanations" judiciously in academic writing. It's best suited when you want to highlight the speculative or possibly deceptive nature of the explanations. In other cases, more neutral alternatives like "develop theories" or "propose interpretations" may be more appropriate.