elucidate the reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elucidate the reason why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to clarify or explain the rationale behind a particular situation or decision. Example: "In our meeting, I would like you to elucidate the reason why we chose this strategy over the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although we did not elucidate the reason why PKA rather than Epac is involved in the inhibition in microglia, this can be explored in future studies.

Plosone

This study did not elucidate the reason why lower serum creatinine independently increased the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Also, we elucidate the reasons why the value of the unstable-stacking energy estimated by means of the rigid-block sliding concept, a feature common to several continuum-elastic models, overestimates the activation energy for dislocation nucleation.

Acta Materialia

Before I elucidate the reasons why a gap year is valuable, I want to emphasize the importance of managing expectations and redefining success.

Huffington Post

Further results may be needed to elucidate the reasons why.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Further research is required to elucidate the reasons why some contacts seem not to receive prophylaxis.

BMC Public Health

Further qualitative research may help to elucidate the reasons why people go (or don't go) for VCT, the types of information that clients receive and the perceived importance of this information in helping people to change their sexual behaviour.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Although it is difficult (if not impossible) for any survey to elucidate the reasons why physicians prescribe the way they do, it is possible to hypothesize from the results of our questionnaire.

Critical Care

Heterogeneous distribution of mitochondria with and without COX activity in single cells would be important for elucidating the reason why the pathogenic threshold load of ∆mtDNA in embryonic blood and liver was lower than that in other tissues.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The SP data-based mode switching models elucidated the reasons why traditional models tend to over-predict transit ridership by revealing the role played by different transit level-of-service attributes and their relative importance to mode switching decisions.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

We elucidated the reasons why infant exposure to aluminium is an unnecessary potential health risk to children and may actually contribute towards ill health as adults.

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elucidate the reason why", ensure the context is appropriate for a formal or analytical tone. It is often used in scientific, academic, or technical writing where a thorough explanation is required.

Common error

Avoid using "elucidate the reason why" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "explain why" or "clarify the reason" are more suitable for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elucidate the reason why" functions as a verbal phrase introducing an explanation or clarification. It combines the verb "elucidate" with a noun phrase specifying the subject of the explanation. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is typically used to introduce an explanation, often after a question or a problem has been presented.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elucidate the reason why" is a grammatically sound phrase used to request or offer a detailed explanation, particularly concerning causes or motives. While recognized as correct by Ludwig, it's more suited for formal and scientific contexts and less appropriate for casual settings. Alternatives such as "explain the reason" or "clarify the cause" may be preferable in less formal situations. The phrase is most often used in scientific and news domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the cause

Focuses on making the cause clear and understandable, omitting the 'reason why' structure.

explain the rationale

Replaces "elucidate" with "explain" and "reason why" with "rationale", offering a more straightforward expression.

shed light on the motive

Uses a metaphorical expression to reveal the underlying motivation.

determine the grounds for

Emphasizes establishing the justification or basis for something.

investigate the basis of

Highlights a detailed inquiry into the foundation or support for something.

uncover the explanation for

Suggests revealing a hidden or not-well-known explanation.

analyze the determinants of

Implies a formal or scientific examination of the factors influencing something.

decipher the logic behind

Emphasizes understanding the reasoning or system underlying something complex.

resolve the enigma of

Suggests solving a mysterious or puzzling situation.

demystify the source of

Focuses on removing confusion about the origin or cause.

FAQs

What does "elucidate the reason why" mean?

To "elucidate the reason why" means to make the reason or cause of something clear and easy to understand through detailed explanation.

When is it appropriate to use "elucidate the reason why"?

It is most appropriate in formal or academic writing where a thorough explanation is needed. Simpler phrases are preferable in informal settings.

What are some alternatives to "elucidate the reason why"?

Alternatives include "explain the reason why", "clarify the reason", or "determine the cause". For more alternatives consider "explain the rationale" or "clarify the cause".

Is "elucidate the reason why" redundant?

While "elucidate" already implies making something clear, "elucidate the reason why" is not strictly redundant. It specifies that the explanation is focused on the cause or motive behind something.