great explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compliment someone on their clarity and thoroughness in explaining a concept or idea. Example: "After listening to your presentation, I must say that was a great explanation of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

He doesn't have a great explanation.

The New York Times

"I really don't have a great explanation," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very puzzling and we don't have a great explanation".

The New York Times

That's a great explanation for why the government needs to regulate campaigns and, for that matter, a great explanation for why government regulation is necessary more generally.

The New York Times

Here's TNR's Nate Cohn: Unfortunately, I don't have a great explanation for how the race got so close.

The Guardian

He had to assume the answer lay in the new Great Explanation, the politics of "identity liberalism".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We don't have great explanations for these differences.

Independent

You'll get great explanations and discover areas not in a guide book.

Huffington Post

"Let's preserve our system, but find a way to provide some greater explanation to people, so they can get access to information even if they don't like the information they get".

The New Yorker

It is up to the company to decide how much detail it wants to provide to its members, Mr. Gonnella said, but he saw a trend toward greater explanation of fees and expenses.

The New York Times

Overheard on the TechCrunch Yammer stream: "Possibly the greatest explanation for being dead fucking wrong that I've ever seen".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When praising an explanation, follow "great explanation" with specific details about what made it effective. For example, "That was a "great explanation" because you broke down complex concepts into simple terms."

Common error

While "great explanation" is perfectly acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with more sophisticated alternatives like "excellent elucidation" or "thorough analysis" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "great explanation" is to act as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "explanation". It expresses a positive assessment of the quality of an explanation. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to convey appreciation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Huffington Post

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

TechCrunch

8%

The New York Times

6%

Vice

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great explanation" is a common and grammatically correct way to commend the quality of an explanation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in news media, scientific publications, and various online platforms. While perfectly acceptable, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "excellent elucidation" or "thorough breakdown" can enhance your writing, especially in formal contexts. Remember to provide specific reasons why the explanation was "great" to maximize the impact of your praise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excellent elucidation

Emphasizes clarity and thoroughness in making something understandable.

outstanding clarification

Highlights the exceptional quality of the clarifying information.

superb interpretation

Focuses on the high-quality understanding and presentation of a subject.

brilliant exposition

Highlights the intelligence and skill in presenting an explanation.

remarkable account

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and detail of the explanation.

thorough breakdown

Focuses on the completeness and detailed nature of the explanation.

detailed analysis

Highlights the depth and analytical approach of the explanation.

insightful perspective

Emphasizes the understanding and wisdom provided by the explanation.

comprehensive overview

Focuses on the broad and complete nature of the explanation.

illuminating commentary

Highlights the clarifying and enlightening nature of the explanation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "great explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "excellent elucidation", "outstanding clarification", or "superb interpretation" depending on the context.

How to use "great explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "great explanation" to commend someone on their clarity. For example, "That was a "great explanation" of the process; I understand it much better now."

Is "great explanation" too informal for academic writing?

"Great explanation" is generally acceptable, but in highly formal academic contexts, consider using phrases like "detailed analysis" or "comprehensive overview" to maintain a more scholarly tone.

What's the difference between "great explanation" and "good explanation"?

"Great explanation" implies a higher quality and deeper understanding compared to a "good explanation". It suggests that the explanation was particularly insightful, thorough, or easy to understand.