how can this be explained

USAGE SUMMARY

"How can this be explained?" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking for an explanation or when you are looking for clarification on a subject. For example, "The data showed unexpected results. How can this be explained?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

How can this be explained?

The Guardian

In 2009, men accounted for 7percentnt of staff in centres for under-threes, 11percentnt in kindergartens for 3 to 6 year olds and 13percentnt in mixed-age centres for children from birth to 6. How can this be explained?

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

How can this be explained?" In May 1933, as he continued to deny Koussevitzky, Sibelius wrote in his diary that he was deeply immersed in composition: "It is as if I had come home ... I'm taking everything in another way, more deeply.

Wikipedia

But how can this be explained?

eLife

How can this be explained by changes in Gβγ activation?

eLife

How can this be explained when only patients older than 55 years were included in the study?

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The general problem formulation of our research program is: what is the direction and strength of the relationship between the amount of green space in people's living environment and their health, well-being and perceived safety, how can this relationship be explained and how can the results be made useful for policy intervention?

BMC Public Health

If so, which aspects of the green space seem to be the most influential ones? 3. Is having an allotment garden related to health, well-being and perceived safety in urban dwellers and how can this relationship be explained?

BMC Public Health

How can this difference be explained?

The Guardian - Business

The pope, safe in St Peter's, still said nothing at all.How can this crime be explained?

The Economist

So how can this trend be explained?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how can this be explained", ensure the context is clear and the 'this' refers to a specific, previously mentioned phenomenon or observation. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the question is readily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "how can this be explained" for situations where the explanation is self-evident or overly simple. It can come across as unnecessarily formal or even sarcastic in such cases. Instead, opt for simpler phrasing like "why is this happening" or "what's the reason for this" in straightforward situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how can this be explained" functions as an interrogative clause used to solicit an explanation for a situation or phenomenon. It seeks to understand the underlying reasons or mechanisms that account for a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how can this be explained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase that seeks clarification or explanation for a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, often prompting detailed analyses. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very simple or casual situations. Alternatives include phrases like "what is the explanation for this" or "why is this the case", offering similar ways to inquire about underlying reasons. When using this phrase, ensure that "this" clearly refers to a specific phenomenon to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the explanation for this

Focuses on directly asking for the explanation, rather than the manner of explaining.

what are the reasons behind this

Emphasizes the underlying reasons or motivations.

why is this the case

A more direct and concise way of asking for the reason.

what accounts for this

Inquires about the factors that contribute to or cause something.

how do we account for this

Focuses on the method or process of explaining something, similar to the original phrase.

what's the rationale for this

Highlights the logical basis or justification.

what's the logic behind this

Seeks the reasoning or logical connection.

what is the cause of this

Directly asks about the cause.

what brought this about

Explores the initiating event or cause.

how did this come to be

Focuses on the process or steps that led to a particular outcome.

FAQs

How do I use "how can this be explained" in a sentence?

Use "how can this be explained" to inquire about the reasons or causes behind a specific phenomenon or observation. For example, "The experiment yielded unexpected results; "how can this be explained"?".

What can I say instead of "how can this be explained"?

You can use alternatives like "what is the explanation for this", "why is this the case", or "what accounts for this" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "how can this be explained" formal or informal?

"How can this be explained" is generally considered neutral to formal. Its formality depends on the surrounding context. While suitable for academic or professional settings, it may sound slightly out of place in very casual conversations.

When is it inappropriate to use "how can this be explained"?

Avoid using "how can this be explained" when the answer is already known or obvious, or in overly casual settings where a simpler question would suffice. Using it in such situations may sound sarcastic or pedantic.