explanatory illustration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explanatory illustration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an image, diagram, or example that clarifies or explains a concept or idea. Example: "The report included an explanatory illustration to help readers understand the complex data presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sterne used them as explanatory illustration for his book's 600 pages of uninterrupted interruptions and purposeful digressions.

The New York Times - Books

A groove then extends in an anterior direction from the pit (see Supp. Fig. 7 for an explanatory illustration).

Arthropod Structure and Development

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They include explanatory illustrations and photographs     2.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

First up: an introductory chamber, with explanatory illustrations etched on a durable metal like nickel or gold.

BBC

We have developed enhanced teaching material for each practical session, which unify the content, provide explanatory illustrations and photographs for the experimental methods, and highlight the main objectives and conclusions.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

These were then developed in several ways e.g., some collections were combined; new sayings were added; and explanatory comments, illustrations, and elaboration on individual sayings were integrated into the text.

SEP

Display cases held explanatory text, illustrations and artifacts.

Wikipedia

Its French edition is 29 pages, including explanatory footnotes, an illustration and just 14 pages of text.

The New York Times - Books

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

The Morgan has made a handsome publication of this manuscript, reproducing in color the 55 illustrations with explanatory comments and an introductory essay on Poyet by Mr. Wieck.

The New York Times - Books

It is noticeable that Mill's language in these books is much closer to the language of Bentham and James Mill than it had been since his boyhood, and it was as an act of piety that in 1869 he republished his father's Analysis of the Phenomena of the Human Mind with additional illustrations and explanatory notes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explanatory illustration", ensure the image directly supports and clarifies the text it accompanies. The illustration should offer a clear visual representation of the concept being explained.

Common error

Avoid using illustrations that are too dense or complicated. An effective "explanatory illustration" should simplify understanding, not introduce further confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explanatory illustration" functions as a noun phrase, where "explanatory" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "illustration". It identifies a specific type of illustration that serves to clarify or explain something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explanatory illustration" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that combines an adjective and a noun. According to Ludwig AI, its purpose is to clarify information through visual representation. While relatively rare, the phrase appears in various contexts, including science, news media, and encyclopedias. Its neutral-to-formal tone makes it suitable for academic, scientific, and professional writing where clarity is paramount. The key to effectively using "explanatory illustration" lies in ensuring that the illustration directly and clearly supports the accompanying text, simplifying complex concepts rather than adding to the confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illustrative explanation

Reverses the order of the words while maintaining the same meaning.

clarifying graphic

Substitutes "illustration" with "graphic" and "explanatory" with "clarifying", emphasizing the visual aspect.

descriptive image

Replaces "explanatory" with "descriptive", highlighting the image's role in portraying information.

elucidating figure

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning, with "elucidating" replacing "explanatory" and "figure" for "illustration".

interpretive visual

Focuses on the role of the illustration in helping the viewer understand something.

instructional diagram

Emphasizes the educational purpose of the illustration.

annotated picture

Highlights that the illustration includes notes to explain it.

visual aid for understanding

Rephrases the concept to directly state the purpose of the illustration.

explanatory visual representation

Adds "representation" to emphasize the visual nature and substitutes "illustration" with "visual representation".

instructive artwork

Emphasizes the artistic aspect of the illustration while retaining its explanatory function.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "explanatory illustration" in a research paper?

Incorporate "explanatory illustrations" to visually represent complex data, processes, or concepts discussed in your research paper. Ensure each illustration is clearly labeled and directly referenced in the text to enhance understanding and provide additional context.

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

You can use alternatives like "illustrative explanation", "clarifying graphic", or "descriptive image" depending on the context.

How does an "explanatory illustration" differ from a regular illustration?

An "explanatory illustration" specifically aims to clarify or explain a concept, process, or information, whereas a regular illustration might serve a more decorative or artistic purpose without necessarily providing explicit explanation.

What makes a good "explanatory illustration"?

A good "explanatory illustration" should be clear, concise, and directly relevant to the text it supports. It should simplify complex information, enhance understanding, and be easily interpretable by the target audience.