find the explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find the explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are instructing someone to locate or identify a specific explanation for a topic or question. Example: "In order to understand the concept better, please find the explanation in the textbook."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"The inscriptions are unequivocal: time and again we find the explanation that the gods 'heard my voice and blessed me'.

The Guardian

And in Lévy's book I think we can find the explanation for this kind of political personality.

The New York Times - Books

We have no doubt that someone will find the explanation, but what we wonder is, will he let it go at that.

The New Yorker

We plan to continue our research to find the explanation for the unexpected values and shape of gm and RF behavior of the novel FinFET.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This tendency of the upper energy gap to stay constant in D2 can find the explanation via considering the role of the SPP lifetime that is proportional to (γ SPP )-1.

Nanoscale Research Letters

If some really acute observer made as much of egotism as Freud has made of sex, people would forget a good deal about sex and find the explanation for everything in egotism.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Newcomers, unsure of their judgment, find the explanations given by dealers in the course of discussions more reassuring than those offered by auction houses, inevitably less detailed.

The New York Times - Arts

You can find the explanations in The Top 6 Questions Students (and Everyone Else) Are Asking about the New Common Application.

Huffington Post

We conclude that a cultural norm ensuring subsistence security is at work, but find the explanations commonly associated with this endogenous thesis irrelevant to the Andapa case.

Human Ecology

Baraybar found the explanation "incoherent".

The New Yorker

City Room finds the explanation of the Mary Shelley allusion to be particularly helpful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "find the explanation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what needs to be explained. Be specific about the subject requiring clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "find the explanation" without specifying what needs explaining. The phrase is more effective when the context makes the subject of the explanation clear. For example, instead of saying "Find the explanation", specify "Find the explanation for why the experiment failed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find the explanation" functions as an imperative phrase, directing someone to locate or discover a reason or rationale. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "find the explanation" serves as a direct instruction to locate or understand a reason or rationale, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and versatile, its occurrence is classified as "Uncommon". It's frequently employed in scientific and news-related contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. To enhance clarity, it’s best practice to specify the subject requiring explanation when using the phrase. Related alternatives, like "figure out the reasoning" or "understand the explanation", can provide nuanced options depending on the intended meaning. Ludwig's examples support its usage in various fields, reinforcing its adaptability and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand the explanation

Emphasizes comprehension rather than the act of finding.

look for the rationale

Emphasizes the active search for a logical basis, similar to the original phrase.

figure out the reasoning

Emphasizes a mental process of understanding the logic behind something.

discover the reason

Focuses on uncovering the underlying cause or motive.

determine the rationale

Emphasizes the process of establishing a logical basis or justification.

identify the motive

Highlights discovering the driving force or intention behind an action.

uncover the justification

Highlights the act of revealing the reasons behind a decision or action.

locate the basis

Focuses on pinpointing the foundational element or support for something.

ascertain the cause

Concentrates on identifying the specific event or factor that produced a result.

seek the answer

Generalizes the search to any solution or resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "find the explanation" in a sentence?

Use "find the explanation" when you need to locate or identify the reasons behind something. For example, "Can you find the explanation for this error in the manual?"

What's a more formal way to say "find the explanation"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases such as "determine the rationale", "ascertain the cause", or "uncover the justification".

Which is correct, "find the explanation" or "find an explanation"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Find the explanation" implies you are looking for a specific, already existing explanation. "Find an explanation" suggests you are looking for any possible explanation.

What can I say instead of "find the explanation"?

Alternatives include "figure out the reasoning", "understand the explanation", or "seek the answer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.