explanation behind why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explanation behind why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify the reasoning or rationale for a particular situation or decision. Example: "The explanation behind why the project was delayed is due to unforeseen circumstances that arose during the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There may possibly be a socioeconomic explanation behind why the last third of the month had the lowest homicide frequency, but further studies with larger sample sizes, as well as a more detailed exploration of the issue, may be needed to present a conclusive answer.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

How detailed is the propagation plan and how much explanation is provided to indicate the reasoning behind why selected strategies were chosen?   6.

International Journal of STEM Education

How detailed is the propagation plan and how much explanation is provided to indicate the reasoning behind why selected strategies were chosen?

International Journal of STEM Education

But there is another explanation for why the United States lags behind: poverty.

The New York Times

He had been sitting behind me and heard my explanation on why I hadn't won a competition and liked the way I talked.

The Guardian - Money

There was no immediate explanation for why the crane, at 46-10 Center Boulevard, just behind the famous Pepsi-Cola sign on the East River, collapsed.

The New York Times

If the English language is to be raped by the forces of political correctness, then I think those behind this outrage should give us a darn good explanation for why they are doing it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Phil Schiller today caused the largest collective eyeroll in the history of the world with his explanation of why Apple was leaving the 3.5mm analog audio jack behind.

TechCrunch

THERE are many factors behind the mortgage crisis, but there is only one simple explanation for why we have failed to solve it.

The New York Times

Among the improvements, there is now a somewhat coherent explanation for why Batman is tediously tracking down a bunch of stuff locked away behind puzzles devised by the Riddler.

The New York Times - Arts

"The first thing we do is tell them to bring in the last four months' bank statements, some recent pay stubs, a copy of their tax return and a written explanation as to why they fell behind," Mr. Davis said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explanation behind why", ensure that the context clearly requires both an explanation and a reason. If the 'why' is self-evident from the explanation, consider streamlining the phrase to just "explanation for" or "reason for" for conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "explanation behind why" when a simpler phrasing like "explanation for" or "reason why" suffices. The addition of "behind" can sometimes make the phrase unnecessarily wordy without adding significant meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanation behind why" functions as a causal connector, linking an explanation to its underlying cause or reason. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase indicates that there's a specific reason motivating the explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explanation behind why" is a grammatically sound, although potentially wordy, way to connect an explanation to its underlying cause. Ludwig's analysis indicates it functions as a causal connector, most commonly used to provide a rationale in news and media or science contexts. While acceptable, writers should consider whether simpler alternatives like "explanation for" or "reason why" might be more concise and effective, avoiding redundancy. The semantic alternatives may be useful to diversify the expressions related to causality, while maintaining accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for why

Replaces "explanation" with "reason", slightly altering the emphasis from the explanation itself to the underlying cause.

rationale behind why

Substitutes "explanation" with "rationale", suggesting a more formal or logical basis for the reason.

justification for why

Replaces "explanation" with "justification", implying a need to defend or validate the reason.

cause of why

Focuses specifically on the cause, making it a direct statement of causality.

basis for why

Highlights the fundamental basis or foundation that supports the reason.

grounds for why

Similar to "basis", but suggests a more legal or formal context.

the why behind

Inverts the structure, emphasizing the underlying reason or motive.

the reasons for

A more succinct way of asking the cause.

the story behind

Narrative focused, used when the cause can be told as a story.

etiology of

Substitutes with a medical/scientific term for cause or origin.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "explanation behind why"?

You can often replace "explanation behind why" with shorter alternatives like "reason for", "explanation for", or simply "why" depending on the context.

Is "explanation behind why" grammatically correct?

Yes, "explanation behind why" is grammatically correct, though it can sometimes be considered slightly redundant. It's generally acceptable in most contexts but consider if a more concise phrasing would be clearer.

When should I use "explanation behind why" instead of "reason why"?

While "explanation behind why" and "reason why" are similar, "explanation" implies a more detailed account. Use "explanation behind why" when you want to emphasize both the explanation and the underlying cause, but be mindful of potential redundancy.

What are some formal alternatives to "explanation behind why"?

For more formal contexts, consider using "rationale for" or "justification for" instead of "explanation behind why", as these alternatives convey a more reasoned or defended basis.