explaining for

USAGE SUMMARY

"explaining for" is not grammatically correct or usable in written English.
You may use the phrase "explaining why" instead. For example: I am explaining why I was late to the meeting.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"What a crock," he exclaims at one point, before explaining, for our benefit, "Crock means untrue or a lie.

The New York Times - Books

He said the industry had been explaining for eight years why the Reserve Bank does not determine bank funding costs.

The Guardian

Max Rodenbeck does the explaining for them as he unwinds Cairo's serpentine tale with witty, clear-eyed affection.

The Economist

If the staff are tired of explaining for the zillionth time what sumac, alcaparrones or tarta de Santiago are, they never, ever show it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a large difference between explaining, for example, that mirror neurons underpin imitative reflexes and speculating, from there, that mirror neurons are the brain-basis for empathy.

The Guardian - Books

"She always called me lucky and honest," Perry reports before explaining, for our benefit, "Being honest means you don't know any better".

The New York Times - Books

Lee describes life and labor in these communities well, explaining, for instance, why Chinese immigrants got into the laundry business during the Gold Rush.

The New Yorker

Mozart's letters to his father give insight into his approach to dramatic composition, explaining, for example, his use of accompanying figures and key relationships to embody meaning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Kargman, on the other hand, emphasized her ballet background, explaining, for instance, that she knew to film the entire body.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Carender is less certain when it comes to explaining, for instance, how to cut the deficit without cutting Medicaid and Medicare.

The New York Times

Another demystifies types of tea (explaining, for example, that black tea is produced when the leaves are fully oxidized, while oolong tea leaves are partially oxidized).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "explaining why" or a similar grammatically correct alternative instead of "explaining for". For example, prefer "He is explaining why the project was delayed" over "He is explaining for the project delay."

Common error

Avoid using "explaining for" when you mean "explaining why" or "providing an explanation for". This misuse leads to grammatically incorrect sentences. For example, don't say, "She was explaining for her actions"; instead, say, "She was explaining why she acted that way".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explaining for" functions as a prepositional phrase, intending to provide reasoning or clarification. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with a more appropriate construction such as "explaining why".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "explaining for" appears frequently across various sources, especially in news and media, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, suggesting that alternatives like "explaining why" or "providing an explanation for" should be used instead. Therefore, it is best to avoid "explaining for" in favor of grammatically sound options to maintain clarity and correctness in writing. While very common it does not make it right.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explaining why

This is the most direct and grammatically sound replacement for "explaining for".

giving reasons for

Similar to explaining why, but slightly more verbose.

explaining the reason for

Adds emphasis on the cause or motive being clarified.

providing an explanation for

More formal and emphasizes the act of giving an explanation.

elucidating

Single word replacement for explaining but sounds more formal.

clarifying the reasons behind

Focuses on making the underlying causes clearer.

justifying

Implies defending or showing something to be right or reasonable.

accounting for

Often used to explain how something affects a calculation or situation.

interpreting

Offers a deeper understanding or analysis.

expounding on

Suggests a detailed and elaborate explanation.

FAQs

What's a correct alternative to "explaining for"?

The most direct and grammatically sound alternative is "explaining why". This ensures your sentence is grammatically correct and clear.

How can I use "explaining why" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "He's explaining for his absence", use "He's explaining why he was absent". This maintains clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is "explaining for" ever correct in English?

No, "explaining for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use alternatives like "explaining why" or "providing an explanation for".

What's the difference between "explaining for" and "accounting for"?

"Explaining for" is not grammatically correct. "Accounting for" is a valid phrase, but it implies how something affects a calculation or situation, not simply giving a reason.