explaining why

USAGE SUMMARY

"explaining why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain the rationale for a decision or action. For example, "I understand that you're not sure about how to handle the situation. Let me explain why I think this decision is the right one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or explaining why not.

The New York Times

He had trouble explaining why that was.

The New York Times

Before explaining why, here's a caveat.

The Washington Post

Joe put up a statement explaining why.

The Guardian - Opinion

He tried explaining why the changes were necessary.

Independent

I wrote a blog today explaining why I love Eurovision.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr Ellis goes some way to explaining why.

The Economist

Mr. Beal says asking nicely and explaining why often works.

The New York Times - Tech

I left a message explaining why I was calling.

The New York Times

[9] Explaining why Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish.

The New York Times

Tactfully explaining why we said no was not our forte.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explaining why" to introduce a cause-and-effect relationship, especially when clarifying a decision, action, or event.

Common error

Avoid using "explaining why" when the context already implies an explanation. For instance, instead of saying 'The report is explaining why sales decreased', you can say 'The report explains why sales decreased'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explaining why" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a noun phrase. It introduces a reason, justification, or cause for something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explaining why" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce a reason or justification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy and ensure the explanation is clear and relevant. Consider using alternatives like "providing an explanation" or "justifying the reason" depending on the context for a more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

providing an explanation

This is a more general term that can encompass reasons, causes, or justifications.

clarifying the reasons

Emphasizes the clarification of multiple reasons.

giving a rationale

This phrase uses a more formal term for 'reason'.

accounting for the reason

Implies providing a comprehensive explanation.

outlining the justification

This alternative suggests a structured presentation of the reasons.

justifying the reason

This alternative focuses on justifying a pre-existing reason.

setting forth the reasons

A more emphatic way of stating the reasons.

elucidating the cause

Focuses on clarifying the cause of something.

detailing the motive

Highlights the underlying motive or intention.

defining the grounds

A more formal way of presenting the reasons or basis for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "explaining why" to introduce a clause that provides a reason or justification. For example, "He is writing a document "explaining why" the project was delayed."

What are some alternatives to "explaining why"?

Some alternatives include "giving a rationale", "providing an explanation", or "justifying the reason", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "explaining why"?

While grammatically correct, "explaining why" can sometimes be redundant. In some cases, simply using "explains why" can be more concise and effective.

What is the difference between "explaining why" and "giving reasons for"?

"Explaining why" often implies a more in-depth or detailed account, while "giving reasons for" can be a more straightforward listing of reasons.