explain the occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain the occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide details or context about a specific event or situation. Example: "Could you please explain the occasion for the celebration we are planning?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I explain the occasion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They suggest that this may explain the rare occasions of allergic reactions on these formulae.

BMC Pediatrics

Dr. Gotts used the occasion to explain the finer points of sledding to his two sons, Isaac and Sam.

The New York Times

"Romney is right to sense this, and to seize on this moment as an occasion to explain the difference between his foreign policy and President Obama's.

Huffington Post

So I will use the occasion to try to explain the alien world from which I came.

The Guardian - Opinion

He says he met Spanish MEPs "on various occasions" to explain the impact the directive would have on a "key" sector for Spain.

The Guardian

On the latter occasion, Lodge explains, the presence of a housekeeper made it impossible for the lovers to get into the bedroom, where Wells kept his "French letters".

The New Yorker

"Here's tomorrow's baked goods," explains the voice-over on several occasions, "stale already".

The New York Times

When the television crew arrived, Syrnikov put on a traditional embroidered linen peasant shirt that he tends to wear on such occasions, and explained the intricacies of preparing malt and distilling it into samogon.

The New Yorker

Above the babble of disingenuous, faux polite chatter that floats between the captains of sporting blazerdom on these occasions, he explained the Qatar World Cup would inevitably be moved to winter, most likely late November.

The Guardian - Sport

I have probably run through 500 pairs since, and reused the same ones on a number of occasions, which probably explains the mysterious rashes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using the phrase. In very formal settings, a more precise term like "describe the event's purpose" might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid assuming the listener already knows key details. When asked to "explain the occasion", provide a comprehensive overview, not just a brief summary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the occasion" primarily functions as an imperative request. It directs someone to provide a detailed account or clarification of the reasons or circumstances behind a specific event or situation, aligning with Ludwig AI's grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain the occasion" is a grammatically sound and understandable request for clarification or details about an event or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, but can be tailored for formality. While it is found across diverse sources, news and media represent a prominent category. For formal communication, alternatives such as "describe the event's purpose" could prove more suitable. Understanding when and how to use this phrase effectively ensures clear and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the reason for the event

Focuses on clarifying the underlying reason, implying a need for better understanding.

describe the event's purpose

Emphasizes the intended goal or aim of the event, differing from simply explaining the situation.

detail the circumstances

Asks for a comprehensive account of the situation, potentially more thorough than a simple explanation.

provide context for the situation

Highlights the need for background information to understand the event fully.

outline the background to the event

Focuses on giving a summary of the events that led up to the current situation.

what is the reason for this

Direct question for the reasoning behind the situation.

what brings us here today

A more formal question, typically asked at the beginning of an event.

why are we gathered

More formal question to understand the importance of the situation.

what's the big idea

This is more of an informal question.

what is the cause of this

Inquires about the origin of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain the occasion" when asking someone to provide details or context about a specific event or situation. For example: "Could you please explain the occasion for the celebration we are planning?"

What is a more formal way to ask someone to explain the occasion?

For a more formal approach, you could ask them to "describe the event's purpose" or to "detail the circumstances".

What's the difference between "explain the occasion" and "what's the occasion"?

"Explain the occasion" is a direct request for information, while "what's the occasion?" is a more casual inquiry, often implying surprise or curiosity.

Is "explain the occasion" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "explain the occasion" may sound too informal for very formal writing. Consider alternatives like "clarify the reason for the event" or "provide context for the situation" in such contexts.