helpful explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helpful explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are providing someone with a description or explanation that is helpful to them. For example, the teacher provided a helpful explanation of the assignment so that the students could understand it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hopper's helpful explanation was: "He has been reading Plato rather late in life".

The Guardian

Copper funnels and glass siphons are used to make Clover, Syphon and Chemex coffee, with a helpful explanation by the barista if required.

The Guardian - Business

"What the Gospels Meant" starts straightforwardly with a helpful explanation of just what a Gospel is: "a meditation on the meaning of Jesus in the light of sacred history as recorded in the sacred writings".

The New York Times - Books

In such cases, John's belief that "there is no wrong" in art appreciation founders on the assumption that there is any appreciation at all without some kind of helpful explanation.

The Guardian - Arts

Alfred Hitchcock's 1946 "Spellbound," in which Dr. Ingrid Bergman roots around in the mind of an amnesiac Gregory Peck to solve a murder, opens with a helpful explanation, "Our story deals with psychoanalysis, the method by which modern science treats the emotional problems of the sane".

The New York Times

For helpful explanation of qi (but romanized as "ch'i"), see Schwartz 1985, 179 84.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They are seen by some as deluded excuses rather than helpful explanations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Additionally, corrosion investigations show helpful explanations for leaching mechanisms of cobalt from cemented carbides, which so far are not connected to reclamation reviews.

International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials

It starts at 7pm, ends at 10pm and Ben personally promises "Beer, Books, Good times!" Here are some photos from Power Ballads that Ben has attached short, helpful explanations to.

Vice

Kicker provides helpful explanations on the most important and compelling news of the day, along with ways to take action so readers don't feel helpless or hopeless while they're getting their news.

Huffington Post

(62; Partner; Term; Dry and cover) I know they are really busy, in many respects they've got a lot of things to do—like keeping a baby alive, but I think from the patient's perspective, if you can call me a patient and I think some sort of helpful explanations of what they are doing and why would probably allay a lot of people's fears.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering a "helpful explanation", ensure it's tailored to your audience's existing knowledge. Avoid jargon or overly complex language that might confuse rather than clarify.

Common error

Avoid adding extra details not pertinent to the overall message. A "helpful explanation" should be concise and clear, not a labyrinth of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helpful explanation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'helpful' modifies the noun 'explanation'. It describes the quality of an explanation, indicating that it is beneficial or assists in understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "helpful explanation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to describe an explanation that aids in understanding. It appears in a variety of contexts, ranging from news articles and scientific papers to wiki articles, which means the phrase is valid for both formal and informal communication. To maximize its effectiveness, keep explanations tailored to the audience's knowledge and avoid unnecessary details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

useful clarification

Replaces "explanation" with "clarification", emphasizing the act of making something clearer and easier to understand.

illuminating exposition

Uses "exposition" instead of "explanation", suggesting a more detailed and thorough presentation that sheds light on a subject.

instructive interpretation

Substitutes "explanation" with "interpretation", focusing on providing a particular understanding or perspective that is also educational.

beneficial elucidation

Replaces "explanation" with "elucidation", highlighting the act of making something clear and easy to understand, with an added benefit.

valuable exposition

Uses "valuable" to emphasize the importance or worth of the explanation being provided.

supportive description

Shifts the focus slightly from explanation to description, implying a portrayal that aids understanding.

constructive account

Replaces explanation with account, suggesting a structured narration contributing positively to understanding.

clear interpretation

Focuses on the clarity of the interpretation provided, making it easily understandable.

practical demonstration

Shifts focus to the demonstration aspect, suggesting a hands-on or visual aid in understanding.

informative breakdown

Replaces explanation with breakdown, which implies the explanation divides a complex topic into simpler parts.

FAQs

How can I provide a "helpful explanation"?

To give a "helpful explanation", start with the basics, use clear language, provide examples, and check for understanding. Tailor your explanation to the audience's knowledge level.

What are some alternatives to "helpful explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "useful clarification", "illuminating exposition", or "instructive interpretation", depending on the context.

What makes an explanation "helpful"?

A "helpful" explanation is clear, concise, relevant, and easy to understand. It addresses the specific needs and knowledge level of the person receiving the explanation.

When is it appropriate to offer a "helpful explanation"?

It is appropriate to offer a "helpful explanation" when someone is confused, asks for clarification, or needs more information to understand a topic or process.