explanatory comments

USAGE SUMMARY

"explanatory comments" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe comments that provide an explanation for something. For example, "The report included a section with explanatory comments about why the data appeared to contradict other research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Explanatory comments follow the proof.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are explanatory comments on both of these.

The New Yorker

Auxiliary explanatory comments about the computation are provided.

Harvard University

Many providers will manually release them earlier, often with explanatory comments.

Yale University

"This was the story I was telling the reporter" at Cannes, Ms. Stone said, adding that some of her explanatory comments were edited out.

The New York Times

Steel's book is subtitled "And the Stories Behind Their Greatest Images", and includes explanatory comments about some of the most extraordinary pictures.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

An explanatory comment was also requested to explore this question and responses yielded three themes: 'networking and collaboration'; 'acquiring new knowledge'; and 'improving English'.

Nurse Education in Practice

The houseguest, Frank Bonitatibus Peter Friedmann), whose photographs of nude women ignite sparks of antagonism in Phyllis, needs a bit of explanatory comment too.

The New York Times

Without explanatory comment they banned "you was" outright, although it was in widespread use among educated people (on that ground it was later defended by Noah Webster).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In one of the more unpleasant portents of the times, the Office of Vital Statistics in 1961 initiated a national tabulation of congenital malformations, with the explanatory comment that these statistics would provide needed data about the incidence of such malformations and the circumstances under which they occur.

The New Yorker

The Xbp1 gene report includes an explanatory comment in the gene model comment section.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explanatory comments", ensure they directly relate to the main subject and offer clear, concise explanations, avoiding unnecessary jargon or complex language.

Common error

Avoid making your "explanatory comments" too dense or technical. Aim for clarity and simplicity to ensure your audience can easily understand the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanatory comments" functions as a noun phrase, where "explanatory" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "comments". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is typically used to denote notes or remarks that provide clarification or explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explanatory comments" functions as a noun phrase used to describe remarks that clarify or provide additional context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across a range of professional and academic settings. While the register is generally neutral to formal, the phrase finds itself used frequently in scientific research, news reporting, and academic writing. When using "explanatory comments", it's crucial to maintain clarity and relevance to avoid overwhelming the audience with overly complex explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying remarks

This alternative replaces "explanatory" with "clarifying" and "comments" with "remarks", emphasizing the act of making something clearer.

elucidating notes

Using "elucidating" in place of "explanatory" provides a more formal tone, while "notes" is a synonym for "comments".

descriptive annotations

"Descriptive annotations" focuses on the detailed nature of the explanations given, highlighting the descriptive aspect.

interpretive observations

This suggests that the comments offer an interpretation or understanding of something, rather than just a straightforward explanation.

supplementary details

Instead of 'comments', this option uses 'details', stressing their role in adding extra information to the existing one.

background information

This choice describes comments that aim to provide context or preliminary knowledge.

contextual explanations

This highlights the role of the comments to provide contextual understanding.

additional explanations

Focuses on the role of the comments as extra explanations, added for clarity.

illuminating insights

This option highlights the revealing and enlightening nature of the comments.

instructive remarks

Emphasizes the informative and educational quality of the comments.

FAQs

How can I use "explanatory comments" effectively in a report?

Use "explanatory comments" to clarify complex data, provide context for your findings, and address potential questions or concerns from your audience. Ensure the comments are concise and directly relevant to the information presented.

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

You can use alternatives like "clarifying remarks", "elucidating notes", or "descriptive annotations" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When are "explanatory comments" most useful?

"Explanatory comments" are most useful when presenting complex information, analyzing data, or providing context to help readers understand a subject more thoroughly.

How do "explanatory comments" differ from regular notes?

"Explanatory comments" specifically aim to provide clarification and explanation, whereas regular notes can encompass a broader range of information, including observations, summaries, or personal reflections. The focus of "explanatory comments" is always on making something clearer.