explanatory caption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explanatory caption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a description or title that provides additional information about an image, diagram, or other visual content. Example: "The explanatory caption below the photograph clarifies the context of the event depicted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The majority of people's posts consisted of photographs, which, without an explanatory caption, were invisible to him.

The New Yorker

I felt like the explanatory caption beneath my name on-screen ought to be: PERSON IN WORLD.

The New York Times

A wonderfully spare black-and-white triptych, each photograph accompanied by a whimsical explanatory caption, shows a ball of yarn, a pig and bejao leaves cut to make tamales.

The New York Times - Arts

He shared a pretty creepy photo on his Instagram account with an explanatory caption: "From today's special fx make-up test before my shoot this weekend in the Mojave desert -- I'm playing a character that is extremely sunburnt, dehydrated and on the edge of death.

Huffington Post

A typical example is given in Figure 3 of Kapranov et al [7, p. 418], which we reproduce below, together with its explanatory caption.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The photographs are accompanied by explanatory captions that are sometimes vague and not helpful.

The New York Times - Arts

The photos shown here are of some of those objects, with explanatory captions taken from interviews with the author.

The New York Times - Magazine

Each design is given a full page without explanatory captions, working drawings or even examples of the trademarks that were replaced.

The New York Times - Books

Significant dates are flashed up on the set, explanatory captions supply historical context, and if the effect is to make the piece seem more of a documentary than Adams and Goodman ever intended, then it's an unfortunate necessity.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Lapham, whom Mr. MacArthur restored to the editorship when he became publisher in 1983, engineered a redesign in 1984, adding the Harper's Index, the Readings section, and the Annotation, which adds explanatory captions to images.

The New York Times

Examples of such techniques include explanatory captions or illustrations projected on a screen; actors stepping out of character to lecture, summarize, or sing songs; and stage designs that do not represent any locality but that, by exposing the lights and ropes, keep the spectators aware of being in a theatre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explanatory captions" to provide context and understanding for visual elements, especially when the content may not be immediately clear to the audience.

Common error

Avoid writing captions that are too general or obvious. Ensure your "explanatory caption" adds significant value by providing specific details or insights not readily apparent from the image or graphic itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanatory caption" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "explanatory" modifies the noun "caption". As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a caption that provides explanation or context. This is evident in the examples where captions add details to photos or figures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explanatory caption" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear phrase used to describe a caption that provides additional information or context to an image or visual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally common, it appears across various reputable sources, including news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to professional register. To enhance clarity, ensure your "explanatory captions" are specific and insightful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descriptive caption

Replaces "explanatory" with "descriptive", focusing on the act of describing rather than explaining.

clarifying caption

Substitutes "explanatory" with "clarifying", emphasizing the caption's role in making something clearer.

informative caption

Uses "informative" instead of "explanatory", highlighting the provision of information.

caption with explanation

Reverses the structure to emphasize the caption itself and its inclusion of an explanation.

caption providing context

Focuses on the function of the caption in supplying background information.

elucidating caption

Replaces "explanatory" with "elucidating", which is a more formal way of saying 'making clear'.

detailed caption

Emphasizes the level of detail included in the caption.

caption offering insights

Highlights the caption's ability to provide a deeper understanding.

caption with added details

Stresses the addition of extra information within the caption.

instructive caption

Implies that the caption serves an educational purpose.

FAQs

How can I effectively use an "explanatory caption"?

An "explanatory caption" should provide context, clarify ambiguities, and enhance understanding of the accompanying visual. Ensure it's concise, informative, and directly relevant to the image or graphic.

What is the difference between an "explanatory caption" and a regular caption?

While a regular caption might simply identify the subject of an image, an "explanatory caption" goes further by providing additional details, explanations, or context. Consider using a "descriptive caption" if you only intend to identify the subject.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "explanatory caption"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "informative caption", "clarifying caption", or "descriptive label". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the caption's function.

When is an "explanatory caption" most necessary?

An "explanatory caption" is most crucial when the visual content is complex, abstract, or lacks immediate context. It helps bridge the gap between the visual and the viewer's understanding, particularly in scientific, technical, or historical contexts.