explanation about what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explanation about what" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It can be used when seeking clarification or details regarding a specific topic, but it would be better to rephrase it for clarity. Example: "I need an explanation about what the project entails."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Still, it has offered no explanation about what happened.

The New York Times

"At the same time, they don't owe anybody an explanation about what they're doing.

The New York Times

They could then write a short explanation about what they learned and discuss it with their classmates.

The New York Times

The pitch did not discuss patents or offer any explanation about what makes the Dreve.me solution proprietary.

The New York Times

Cashman said that he spoke to Girardi about the Florida experience and was content with Girardi's explanation about what occurred.

The New York Times

One drives up to the museum without any warning or explanation about what is about to unfold before them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Officials had conflicting explanations about what caused the E coli contamination in the first place.

The Guardian

But Mr. Ron reportedly gave the police a number of different explanations about what had happened.

The New York Times

Mr. Wolfson offers no explanations about what he's up to.

The New York Times

After last week's events, though, it was hard to be sure, especially since AIBA didn't offer any additional explanations about what had gone wrong.

The New Yorker

Mr. Babis has offered varying explanations about what happened next, but no one disputes that the company decided to set up a subsidiary to develop the property.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For improved clarity, consider restructuring your sentence to use "explanation of what" or "explanation for what" depending on the context. For example, instead of "an explanation about what happened", try "an explanation of what happened".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "explanation about what". Overuse can lead to wordy and less impactful sentences. Explore synonyms and rephrase for better flow and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanation about what" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a request for or provision of details concerning a particular event, situation, or concept. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrasing is not considered the best possible style.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "explanation about what" is frequently used across various contexts like News & Media and Scientific publications, it is considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that rephrasing it to "explanation of what" or "explanation for what" improves clarity and grammatical correctness. Alternative phrases such as "clarification regarding what" or "details concerning what" can offer better precision. When writing, it's beneficial to avoid overusing this phrase and consider restructuring sentences for better flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarification regarding what

Replaces "explanation" with "clarification" and uses "regarding" for a slightly more formal tone.

details concerning what

Substitutes "explanation" with "details" and "about" with "concerning", emphasizing specific information.

account of what

Replaces "explanation" with "account", focusing on a descriptive narrative.

reason for what

Focuses on the justification or cause behind something, rather than a general explanation.

justification for what

Emphasizes the act of defending or proving something to be right or reasonable.

elucidation of what

Replaces "explanation" with "elucidation" for a more formal and detailed clarification.

description of what

Shifts the focus to providing a detailed account or image of something.

understanding of what

Focuses on comprehending the nature or meaning of something.

interpretation of what

Emphasizes the subjective understanding or meaning attributed to something.

exposition on what

Replaces "explanation" with "exposition", suggesting a comprehensive and systematic presentation of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "explanation about what" correctly?

While commonly used, "explanation about what" can sound awkward. For better clarity, rephrase as "explanation of what" or "explanation for what". The choice depends on the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "explanation about what"?

Consider using alternatives like "clarification regarding what", "details concerning what", or "account of what" to provide a more precise meaning.

Is "explanation about what" grammatically correct?

While understandable, Ludwig AI considers "explanation about what" to be not correct and sounds awkward in written English. Opt for "explanation of what" for grammatical precision.

What's the difference between "explanation about what" and "explanation of what"?

"Explanation of what" is generally preferred and considered more grammatically sound. "Explanation about what" is often used informally, but "of" provides a stronger connection between the explanation and its subject.