explain the reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'explain the reason why' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used whenever you want to ask for an explanation of the reasons behind a particular situation. For example, you could say: Could you please explain the reason why this decision was made?.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can explain the reason why the ablation is often detected in the small caliber railgun.

Defence Technology

This could also explain the reason why we observed slightly different results from different regions.

Nature

This chapter first presents some clinical trials that have successfully achieved follow-up studies and then attempts to explain the reason why clinical trials make so little progress.

Translational Regenerative Medicine

This concept is used to explain the reason why the mono-disperse structure with the highest minimum porosity have also the highest tortuosity-curve.

Chemical Engineering Science

Liz is seeing you, I believe, next week and can explain the reason why I came to the decision I did".

The Guardian

If you take the time to explain the reason why doing something is important and teachers can see it will help, they will want to buy into it.

The Guardian

Therefore, the use of does not probably explain the reason why a community detection algorithm marries the CbCI algorithm better than another.

Nature

This may explain the reason why anti-Forssman antibody per se fails to induce hyperacute rejection in a xenotransplantation model of mouse heart xenografts to rat5.

Nature

That might explain the reason why 25 police officers were looking for evidence in Uber's office.

TechCrunch

Hopefully they can call me and explain the reason why," Guardiola told BBC Sport.

BBC

"First, explain the reason why people should believe in your offer.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the reason why", ensure that your explanation is direct and addresses the core question without unnecessary jargon. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid stating the obvious. If you're asked to "explain the reason why" something happened, don't simply restate what occurred; instead, focus on the underlying cause or motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the reason why" functions as a request for clarification or justification. It is used to prompt someone to provide a detailed account of the underlying causes or motivations behind a particular event, decision, or phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms this is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain the reason why" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to request a detailed explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives exist, "explain the reason why" provides a clear and emphatic way to seek understanding. When employing it, ensure your response focuses on underlying causes rather than restating the obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give an account of why

Focuses on providing a narrative or detailed explanation.

spell out the reasons for

Indicates a desire for a very clear and explicit explanation.

elucidate the rationale

Replaces "explain the reason why" with a more formal vocabulary choice, focusing on the underlying logic.

detail the explanation

Emphasizes the need for comprehensive details.

clarify the grounds for

Implies a need to make the basis or justification clearer.

expound on the why

Encourages a thorough and elaborate explanation.

break down the cause

Suggests simplifying a complex reason into understandable parts.

justify the basis of

Suggests a need to defend or provide evidence for a decision or action.

unravel the reasoning behind

Implies a complex or hidden reason that needs to be discovered.

shed light on the causality

Focuses on revealing the cause-and-effect relationship.

FAQs

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

You can use "explain the reason why" when you need someone to provide a detailed account of the causes or motivations behind something. For example, "Can you explain the reason why the project was delayed?"

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

Some alternatives include "elucidate the rationale", "clarify the grounds for", or "give an account of why", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "explain the reason why"?

While "reason" inherently implies "why", the phrase "explain the reason why" is common and generally accepted. It provides a bit of extra emphasis on the need for a clear explanation. However, in formal writing, consider using just "explain why".

What's the difference between "explain why" and "explain the reason why"?

"Explain why" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Explain the reason why" is more emphatic and frequently used in everyday speech. Both are grammatically correct.