explain the reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"explain the reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when you want to ask someone to explain the rationale behind their opinion or the reason for an event or occurrence. For example: "Could you explain the reason why the project was delayed?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He will have to explain the reason".

The New York Times

I can't explain the reason we got beat that bad.

The New York Times - Sports

Kino didn't explain the reason, and his aunt didn't ask.

The New Yorker

So what happened in 2012 that might explain the reason for this shift?

The Guardian

Math can explain the reason there's one out of four chance that I'd have blue eyes.

The Guardian - Books

An American official declined to explain the reason, saying only that it was based on American intelligence about terrorist threats.

The New York Times

Venus Williams played with her left thigh tightly wrapped against Ivanovic and also declined to explain the reason.

The New York Times - Sports

I can't completely explain the reason I chose to end this playlist with Harry Belafonte's Turn the World Around.

The Guardian - Music

A state official stood to explain the reason for the seafood advisory: the fish had been contaminated.

The Guardian

We explain the reason by some inequalities.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

This paper tries to explain the reason explicitly.

International Journal of Production Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the reason" in formal writing, ensure that the context is clear and the explanation is thorough. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient details.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "explain the reason why" as it is often redundant. "Explain the reason" already implies 'why', so adding 'why' can make the sentence wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the reason" functions as a request for clarification or justification. It prompts someone to provide a detailed account of why something occurred or why a particular decision was made. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

50%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain the reason" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to request a clear justification or explanation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general informational writing. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "clarify the rationale" or "justify the grounds", it's crucial to avoid redundancy by omitting "why" after "reason". Understanding its function and purpose, along with its common usage patterns, ensures effective communication and clear expression in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give the explanation

This alternative is a shorter and less formal version.

clarify the rationale

This alternative focuses on making the underlying principles clear.

justify the grounds

This alternative emphasizes providing a valid basis or defense.

elucidate the justification

This alternative stresses making the reasons or defenses clearer and more understandable.

detail the cause

This alternative is used to describe the reason or origin.

spell out the motives

This alternative makes the underlying intentions or driving forces more explicit.

account for the basis

This alternative means to give a clear explanation of the foundation.

break down the why

This alternative is an informal way of asking for a detailed explanation of the reasons.

explicate the account

This alternative makes the report or statement clear, understandable and detailed.

present the cause

This alternative introduces or displays the reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain the reason" when you want someone to clarify the rationale or justification behind an action, event, or decision. For example, "Can you explain the reason for the delay?"

What's a more formal way to ask someone to "explain the reason"?

In more formal settings, you could use phrases like "clarify the rationale", "justify the grounds", or "elucidate the justification".

Which is correct: "explain the reason" or "explain the reason why"?

"Explain the reason" is generally preferred because it's more concise. Adding "why" can be redundant, making the sentence unnecessarily wordy.

What's the difference between "explain the reason" and "detail the cause"?

"Explain the reason" is a general request for clarification, while "detail the cause" implies a deeper dive into the origin or source of something. The former is broader, the latter more specific.