explaining the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explaining the situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce an explanation of what is happening in a particular context. For example: "John took a few moments to explain the situation: he was out of town for work and wouldn't be able to attend the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He returned this with a note explaining the situation.

The New Yorker

I sent a Facebook message to Stefan explaining the situation.

The New York Times - Style

Eventually, the company posted a statement explaining the situation.

The Guardian - Tech

An email explaining the situation wouldn't have hurt.

The Guardian - Money

"I had a meeting with Steven's representative explaining the situation.

The Guardian - Sport

These are the latent random variables in a model for explaining the situation.

Cornell University

She wrote Satoda a letter explaining the situation, and he replied.

Yale University

His father, Luis Garcia, wrote the gym teacher a note, explaining the situation.

The New York Times

"The reason being?" "We are waiting for a letter," Ashoke says, explaining the situation in detail.

The New Yorker

Early in the game Du Bois sent out a form letter explaining the situation.

The New Yorker

"We created two tickets on their web spam report form explaining the situation.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context is well established before using "explaining the situation". This helps the reader understand what situation is being referred to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "explaining the situation" without clearly establishing what situation you are referring to earlier in your writing. Without a clear antecedent, the phrase becomes vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explaining the situation" primarily functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a larger verb phrase. It introduces or describes the act of providing an account of circumstances, as Ludwig confirms through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explaining the situation" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that serves to introduce or describe the act of providing an account of specific circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across a wide range of contexts, from news and academic writing to more informal communications. While primarily functioning as a gerund phrase, its core purpose is to convey information and provide clarity, making it a valuable tool in both formal and informal discourse. Ensure clarity by establishing context before using the phrase and consider alternatives like "describing the situation" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describing the situation

This focuses on giving a detailed account of the circumstances.

clarifying the situation

This alternative highlights the act of making the situation easier to understand.

detailing the situation

This emphasizes providing comprehensive and specific information about the situation.

specifying the situation

This alternative focuses on making the details of the situation clear and precise.

defining the situation

This focuses on establishing a clear understanding of the situation's parameters.

identifying the situation

This emphasizes the act of recognizing and defining the key elements of the situation.

elucidating the circumstances

This involves shedding light on the surrounding factors to make the situation clearer.

outlining the situation

This suggests providing a summary or overview of the main points of the situation.

illuminating the context

This focuses on making the background and surrounding details of the situation more apparent.

addressing the situation

This implies directly dealing with or discussing the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "explaining the situation" in a sentence?

You can use "explaining the situation" to introduce a description of a set of circumstances. For example, "After "assessing the damage", he began explaining the situation to the insurance adjuster."

What are some alternatives to "explaining the situation"?

Alternatives include "describing the situation", "detailing the situation", or "clarifying the situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "explaining the situation" formal or informal?

"Explaining the situation" is generally neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "elucidating the circumstances" may be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "explaining the situation" and "understanding the situation"?

"Explaining the situation" involves providing details about a particular context, while "understanding the situation" refers to comprehending or grasping the details of that context. One focuses on conveying information, the other on receiving and processing it.