got no explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got no explanation" is informal but can be used in written English, particularly in conversational contexts.
You can use it when expressing a lack of understanding or clarity about a situation or event. Example: "I asked him why he was late, but he just shrugged and said he got no explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I've got no explanation.

The New York Times - Sports

By curtain rise only that number of vertical playgoers were allowed into the playhouse; those turned away got no explanation from the box office.

The New Yorker

Verisign complained but got no explanation.

Forbes

The public got no explanation for her absence.

Los Angeles Times

He got no explanation for the blast but was told, "Don't fly south".

Wikipedia

Science has got no explanation for it something immaterial (a thought?) has impacted something material (our body) in a way which utterly defies logic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He does not know what the boundary is, and he can get no explanation of it, which is frightening enough, but the fear he hears in the voices of his elders is more frightening still.

The New Yorker

We get no explanation of that, just a bit of gossip and little tears in the show's hermetic seal: last season's runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, pitching a fit over "Idol" staffers cleaning her personal microphone stand, which had been shipped from home; or the custody battle that the Season 8 contestant Megan Joy was waging over her son while on the show.

The New York Times - Books

The mysterious rectangular opening, filled with light, of an underground passageway in a close-cropped expanse of grass and trees might lead to Hades or Shangri-La, but we get no explanation from Mr. Mazaud, who follows the current tendency to make pictures that don't tell tales, but move viewers to create their own.

The New York Times

Fischetti says he has gotten no explanation from federal prosecutors or the DEA about the seemingly improper actions.

Huffington Post

By November, though, many former civil servants were furious at their inability to find out what was happening, as payments were delayed and they could get no adequate explanation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got no explanation" in informal or conversational contexts to express a lack of understanding. It is suitable for situations where a formal explanation is not expected or required.

Common error

Avoid using "got no explanation" in formal writing or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "received no clarification" or "was not provided an explanation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got no explanation" functions as a statement expressing a lack of understanding or reason provided for a particular situation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is mostly used in news and media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got no explanation" is a common way to express a lack of understanding or reason provided for a situation. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct but considered informal. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. For formal writing, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "received no clarification" or "was not provided an explanation". While the phrase is straightforward and easily understood, be mindful of your audience and the context in which you use it to ensure your message is clear and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not told the reason

Directly indicates the omission of a cause or explanation.

wasn't provided an explanation

Highlights the lack of provision of a rationale.

didn't receive a rationale

Similar to "wasn't provided an explanation", stresses lack of justification.

was given no reason

Emphasizes the absence of a stated justification.

didn't understand why

Focuses on the lack of personal comprehension of cause or explanation.

never learned why

Indicates a persistent lack of knowledge about the cause.

received no clarification

Indicates a lack of detailed information or reason provided.

was left without an answer

Highlights the absence of a response or clarification.

had no justification

Focuses on the absence of valid grounds or defense.

remained unexplained

Emphasizes that the subject lacks a clear cause or understanding.

FAQs

What does "got no explanation" mean?

The phrase "got no explanation" means that someone did not receive any reason or clarification for something that happened or for a particular situation. It implies a lack of understanding due to missing information.

What can I say instead of "got no explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "received no clarification", "was given no reason", or "wasn't provided an explanation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "got no explanation" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "got no explanation" is considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "received no clarification" or "was not told the reason".

How to use "got no explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "got no explanation" in sentences like, "I asked why the meeting was canceled, but I "was given no reason"" or "The package arrived damaged, and I "received no clarification" from the delivery service."