explanation for why

USAGE SUMMARY

"explanation for why" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as part of a question or in the introduction of a sentence that explains a cause or purpose. Example: "I need to provide an explanation for why I was late to work this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone has their own explanation for why.

The Guardian

No explanation for why he did this".

The Guardian

The officials offered no explanation for why he had returned.

The New York Times

And nobody has a good explanation for why.

The New York Times

There was no explanation for why he wasn't asked.

The New York Times - Sports

(An explanation for why can be found here).

The New York Times

The explanation for why it's doing this makes no sense.

The Guardian - Tech

I can't offer an explanation for why I climb mountains.

The Guardian

This offers an explanation for why their field trial performance is so inconsistent.

Applied Ergonomics

We propose Homicide Adaptation Theory as a new explanation for why people kill.

Aggression and Violent Behavior

The lack of "social capital" is frequently given as an explanation for why communities perform poorly.

Journal of Public Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explanation for why", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are providing an explanation for. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or situation you are addressing.

Common error

Avoid using "reason why" as it is often redundant. "Reason" already implies "why", making "explanation for why" a more concise and grammatically sound option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanation for why" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or indicates the cause, motive, or justification behind a particular event, action, or phenomenon. It is used to signal that a reason is about to be provided, as demonstrated by various examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explanation for why" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce the reasoning behind an event, action, or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for diverse contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples. While alternatives like "reason why" exist, "explanation for why" is often preferred for its clarity and avoidance of redundancy. Its versatility is evident in its prevalence across news, science, and academic domains, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication. Remember to ensure that the context is specific and avoid the common error of using the redundant "reason why".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for why

Replaces "explanation" with "reason", focusing on the cause.

rationale for why

Substitutes "explanation" with "rationale", implying a more logical or reasoned basis.

justification for why

Uses "justification" instead of "explanation", suggesting a need to defend or vindicate.

basis for why

Replaces "explanation" with "basis", highlighting the foundation or grounds for something.

the reason behind

Alters the structure to emphasize the underlying cause or motive.

the cause of

Shifts the focus directly to the cause, omitting "explanation".

the grounds for

Similar to "basis", but with a slightly more formal tone.

the motive behind

Emphasizes the intention or purpose driving an action.

the purpose of

Focuses on the intended outcome or goal.

the thinking behind

Highlights the thought process or reasoning that led to something.

FAQs

How can I use "explanation for why" in a sentence?

You can use "explanation for why" to introduce the reason behind an event, decision, or phenomenon. For example, "The scientist provided an explanation for why the experiment failed".

What is a good alternative to "explanation for why"?

Alternatives include /s/reason+for+why, /s/rationale+for+why, or simply "the reason for". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to use "explanation for why"?

Yes, "explanation for why" is grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to introduce the cause or reason behind something.

What's the difference between "explanation for why" and "reason why"?

"Explanation for why" is generally considered more grammatically sound. While "reason why" is common, it can be seen as slightly redundant. Using "explanation for why" avoids this redundancy and maintains clarity.