explanation to someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explanation to someone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that you are providing clarification or information to a specific person. For example, "I gave an explanation to my friend about the project." Alternative expressions include "explanation for someone" and "clarification for someone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Eleven years after that trip, I wrote a sequel to her fiftieth-birthday poem called "An Explanation to Someone Who Still Finds It Hard to Believe Alice Is Fifty Elevenen Years Later".

The New Yorker

They are too short to offer any explanation to someone who does not already know the subject matter, even as they are too involved to be useful to anyone wary of mathematics.The book also illustrates another danger in popular physics written by current practitioners.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Like desire-based reasons theorists and unlike nonreductive realists, expressivists thus seek to render (justifying) reason talk intelligible by explicating it with reference to desires and other motivating states to which explanation by reference to someone's reasons appeals.

SEP

Straub's way of talking in a stream-of-consciousness rush, in the manner of an Appalachian Don King, often made his big plans seem scattershot and his tactical explanations disjointed, at least to someone not adept in vulture finance.

The New Yorker

Hempel responded to this criticism by distinguishing between what is actually presented to someone who requests an explanation (the "explanation sketch") and the full objective explanation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There's a common explanation that profound sadness leads to someone's becoming a comedian, but I'm not sure that's a proven equation in my case," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Question: 'Which of the following would have helped prepare you: a video about the effects of tooth loss; a leaflet about tooth loss; an explanation from the dentist; talking to someone who had already experienced tooth loss'?

Nature

The explanation to this is that it is hard to know exactly how someone would make use of several aliases.

Security Informatics

According to VG, the lawyer was clearly affected by his conversation with Breivik and said it was difficult "to give a reasonable explanation as to why someone kills close to 100 innocent people". Breivik told Lippestad that he would provide further explanation when they meet again on Sunday, the paper reported.

Los Angeles Times

There had to be another explanation — someone else to blame.

The New Yorker

"The burden is on the individual to seek the legal advice or professional expertise to decide what they have to file and not," Spicer said, parsing his explanation as to how someone who might have had to register as a foreign agent was hired as national security adviser.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "explanation to someone", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is receiving the explanation. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "explanation to someone" when you intend to convey that someone is the cause or reason for something. The phrase denotes that someone is receiving the explanation, not being the explanation itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanation to someone" functions as a prepositional phrase that usually modifies a verb. It specifies the recipient of an explanation, indicating to whom the explanation is directed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates direction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explanation to someone" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that describes the recipient of an explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. Although relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, maintaining a neutral tone and clearly indicating the direction of information. For more formal situations, synonyms like "elucidation for someone" might be considered, while "explanation for someone" is a close alternative that focuses on the recipient's benefit. When you want to clarify who will receive an explanation, use "explanation to someone".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explanation for someone

Replaces "to" with "for", slightly altering the focus to the recipient.

clarification for someone

Substitutes "explanation" with "clarification", suggesting a simplification or making something clearer.

elucidation for someone

Replaces "explanation" with "elucidation", adding a more formal and detailed tone.

account for someone

Uses "account" instead of "explanation", implying a justification or reason.

rationale for someone

Emphasizes the underlying reasons or logic behind something being explained.

justification for someone

Focuses on providing reasons to defend or validate something.

interpretation for someone

Highlights the subjective understanding or meaning conveyed.

a word to someone

This is a more informal option that implies communicating to someone.

briefing for someone

Implies giving someone the main information.

disclosure for someone

Conveys the revealing of information to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "explanation to someone" in a sentence?

You can use "explanation to someone" to indicate that you are providing clarification or information to a specific person. For example, "I gave an "explanation to someone" about the project."

What is a good alternative to "explanation to someone"?

Alternatives include "explanation for someone" or "clarification for someone", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "explanation to someone" and "explanation for someone"?

While both are similar, "explanation to someone" emphasizes the act of giving the explanation to a recipient, whereas "explanation for someone" can also imply the explanation is intended or designed with that person in mind.

Is it correct to say "giving explanation to someone"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more idiomatic to say "giving an explanation to someone" or "providing an explanation to someone" for better flow and clarity.