explain the discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain the discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to ask someone to clarify a difference between two things that contradict each other. For example: "The report says the increase in profits was 5%, but the financial statements show a decrease of 2%. Could you please explain the discrepancy?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HOW to explain the discrepancy?

The New York Times

What could explain the discrepancy?

The New York Times

Neither agency could explain the discrepancy.

The New York Times

Woodson declined to explain the discrepancy.

The New York Times - Sports

Apple did not explain the discrepancy.

The New York Times

He did not explain the discrepancy.

The New York Times

The documents do not explain the discrepancy.

The Washington Post

How do you explain the discrepancy?

The Washington Post

Authorities did not explain the discrepancy.

The Washington Post

The White House did not explain the discrepancy.

The Economist

Ms. Brune said she cannot explain the discrepancy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the discrepancy", ensure that the discrepancy is clearly defined and understood by the audience before attempting to explain it.

Common error

Avoid simply describing the discrepancy without investigating and addressing the root causes. A thorough explanation delves into the 'why', not just the 'what'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the discrepancy" serves as an infinitive verb phrase, functioning as a request or instruction to provide a reason or justification for a difference or inconsistency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain the discrepancy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that prompts clarification of differences between two or more conflicting pieces of information. It is applicable across diverse contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig examples, ranging from academic and scientific to news and media. The phrase is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for formal and professional communication. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the audience is aware of the discrepancy before asking for an explanation and avoid just stating it, without digging for underlying reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the inconsistency

Focuses on making the inconsistency clearer, rather than just explaining it.

resolve the difference

Suggests a more decisive action of eliminating the difference, not just understanding it.

account for the variation

Emphasizes providing a reason or justification for the variation.

shed light on the divergence

Uses a metaphorical expression to mean clarifying the reasons behind the divergence.

elucidate the contradiction

Suggests a more thorough and detailed explanation of the contradiction.

justify the difference

Focuses on providing a valid reason for the difference, often in a defensive manner.

give reasons for the gap

Emphasizes providing specific reasons to fill the gap in understanding.

offer an explanation for the imbalance

Suggests a more formal and reasoned explanation of the imbalance.

decipher the anomaly

Implies that anomaly is difficult to understand, so decipher is a better fit than explain.

demystify the puzzle

Uses a metaphorical approach, focusing on removing the mystery surrounding the puzzle.

FAQs

How can I use "explain the discrepancy" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the discrepancy" when you need someone to clarify a difference between two conflicting facts or situations. For example: "Can you "explain the discrepancy" between the projected budget and the actual spending?"

What's the difference between ""explain the discrepancy"" and "resolve the difference"?

"Explain the discrepancy" focuses on providing understanding, while "resolve the difference" implies taking action to eliminate the difference.

What can I say instead of ""explain the discrepancy""?

You can use alternatives like "clarify the inconsistency", "account for the variation", or "elucidate the contradiction" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use ""explain the discrepancy"" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when presenting data, analysis, or findings where inconsistencies need to be addressed and clarified. For instance, in scientific reports, financial statements, or academic papers.