explain the reasons

USAGE SUMMARY

'explain the reasons' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need someone to explain why something has happened, why something is true, or why someone has done something. For example, you could ask your boss: "Can you explain the reasons why I was reassigned to a different department?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many researchers have attempted to explain the reasons for this situation.

Princeton University

Ask representatives from each group to explain the reasons for their respective selections.

The New York Times

But members of Congress have asked endowment officials to explain the reasons for the changes.

The New York Times - Arts

Her court-appointed lawyer, she says, did not explain the reasons for the delays.

The Guardian

Other announcements are perfunctory, failing to explain the reasons behind the moves.

The New York Times

The liberal voices were ready to explain the reasons for their actions.

The Guardian - Books

Japanese prosecutors are not obliged to publicly explain the reasons for their decisions.

The Guardian - Business

We're going to admit that the C.I.A. conducted the drone strike and explain the reasons why.

The New Yorker

Rate transient analysis and flow regime identification are investigated to further explain the reasons.

Nature

Mr. Blum said he could not explain the reasons for that large difference.

The New York Times

Federal politicians were initially slow to explain the reasons for the change.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the reasons", ensure you provide specific and clear details. Avoid vague or general statements that do not offer a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using overly technical or complex language when you "explain the reasons". Tailor your explanation to your audience's level of understanding to ensure clarity and comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the reasons" functions as a request for clarification or justification. It typically serves as an imperative, prompting someone to provide a detailed account of the causes or rationale behind a particular action, decision, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is perfectly valid for such purposes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain the reasons" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that requests a detailed account or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to elicit a comprehensive understanding of the causes behind a particular action or event. The phrase is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, it's best to provide specific details and avoid overly complex language, tailoring the explanation to the audience's understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidate the rationale

Replaces "explain" with "elucidate" and "reasons" with "rationale", both implying a more formal and thorough explanation.

clarify the motives

Substitutes "explain" with "clarify" and "reasons" with "motives", focusing on the underlying motivations behind an action.

detail the justification

Replaces "explain" with "detail" and "reasons" with "justification", emphasizing a comprehensive and reasoned explanation.

provide the explanation

Offers a more direct and simple alternative, focusing on giving an account.

give an account of the causes

Replaces "explain" with "give an account of" and "reasons" with "causes", emphasizing a narrative description of the factors involved.

spell out the grounds

Uses "spell out" in place of "explain", indicating a very clear and explicit explanation of the foundational reasons.

break down the reasoning

Uses "break down" to suggest a detailed and simplified explanation of the logical process behind the reasons.

walk through the logic

Implies a step-by-step explanation of the reasoning process.

shed light on the factors

Replaces "explain" with "shed light on", suggesting the provision of clarity and understanding about the influencing elements.

analyze the determinants

Substitutes the original phrase with a more analytical and formal tone, focusing on identifying key factors.

FAQs

How do I use "explain the reasons" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the reasons" to ask someone to clarify why something happened. For example, "Can you "explain the reasons" for the project's delay?"

What are some alternatives to "explain the reasons"?

Alternatives include "elucidate the rationale", "clarify the motives", or "detail the justification", depending on the context and level of formality required.

Is it better to say "explain the reason" or "explain the reasons"?

Using "reasons" (plural) is generally more appropriate as actions or events often have multiple contributing factors. However, "explain the reason" can be correct if there is only one primary cause.

What is the difference between "explain the reasons" and "justify the actions"?

"Explain the reasons" focuses on providing clarity and understanding, while "justify the actions" implies defending or providing a moral or legal basis for something. For example: "He had to "explain the reasons" for his absence," versus "He had to justify the actions that led to his suspension."