explain by

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce the reasons that something is the way it is or why it happened. For example: "The company's poor performance can be explained by the fact that they didn't invest in new technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let me explain, by way of an example.

Harvard Business Review

As they explain: "By the 1980s, tariffs were long gone.

The Guardian

What phenomena can we explain by doing so?

University of California, Berkeley

It's easiest to explain by first describing an "unnatural" experiment — a randomized, controlled trial.

The New York Times

Let me explain by an illustration what I mean by the collaboration of readers.

The Guardian

South Yorkshire police have still to explain by whom and why the notebooks were doctored.

The Guardian - Sport

And some results have been hard to explain by any measure.

The New York Times

I'll explain by giving away my favorite theme entry in Kristian House's grid.

The New York Times

This discrepancy is difficult to explain by uncertainties of boundary spectrum parameters or transport coefficients.

Advances in Space Research

This phenotype is very difficult to explain by recombination, based on the known genotypes (Supplementary Table 1).

Nature

I tried to explain by pointing across the street, to another park that is part of Kapkov's domain.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain by", ensure that the subsequent explanation directly relates to the concept or phenomenon you are trying to clarify.

Common error

Avoid using "explain by" to introduce information that doesn't directly clarify the preceding statement. The explanation should provide a clear and relevant understanding of the subject at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain by" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the method or means through which something is being clarified or understood. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Many examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in both academic and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain by" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a method or means of clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "elucidate through" or "clarify using" exist, "explain by" remains a common and effective way to provide explanations. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent information directly clarifies the preceding statement. With a neutral register, the phrase can be used in almost any writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidate through

Replaces "explain" with "elucidate" for a more formal tone, and "by" with "through", maintaining the method of explanation.

clarify using

Substitutes "explain" with "clarify" and "by" with "using", emphasizing the means of clarification.

demonstrate via

Replaces "explain" with "demonstrate" and "by" with "via", focusing on showing something through a particular method.

illustrate by means of

Offers a more verbose alternative, replacing "explain" with "illustrate" and using "by means of" to specify the method.

account for through

Changes "explain" to "account for", indicating a reason or cause, and uses "through" instead of "by".

justify with

Replaces "explain" with "justify", implying a defense or rationale, and uses "with" instead of "by".

interpret in light of

Substitutes "explain" with "interpret" and uses "in light of" to suggest understanding something based on specific information.

attribute to

Replaces "explain" with "attribute", indicating a cause or origin, and uses "to" instead of "by".

ascribe to

Similar to "attribute to", but may carry a slightly more formal tone.

connect with

Focuses on establishing a relationship or association, rather than a direct explanation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "explain by" in a sentence?

Use "explain by" to introduce a method, example, or factor that clarifies a concept or situation. For instance, "We can explain the phenomenon "explain by" examining the underlying causes."

What are some alternatives to "explain by" that I can use in my writing?

You can use phrases like "elucidate through", "clarify using", or "demonstrate via" as alternatives to "explain by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "explain by" considered formal or informal language?

"Explain by" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "elucidate through" may be preferred in highly academic or professional settings.

How does "explain by" differ from simply using "explain"?

"Explain by" specifically indicates that the explanation will be provided through a particular method or example, whereas "explain" is a more general term for providing clarification. For example, compare "I will explain the concept" with "I will "explain by" using an analogy".