how do you explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how do you explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to clarify or provide an explanation about a particular topic or situation. Example: "How do you explain the sudden change in weather patterns this year?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"How do you explain God?

The New York Times

How do you explain that?

Independent

How do you explain it?

Independent

How do you explain this?

The New Yorker

"How do you explain Madonna?

The New York Times

How do you explain this rescrambling?

The New Yorker

How do you explain this?" one demanded.

Independent

How do you explain relief workers?

The New Yorker

"How do you explain that?" he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now how do you explain that?

The New York Times - Sports

How do you explain its lasting power?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how do you explain", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the subject or situation you're asking about to get a focused response.

Common error

Avoid using "how do you explain" without specifying what you're referring to. A question like "How do you explain it?" can be too vague. Instead, provide context: "How do you explain the increase in sales?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how do you explain" serves as an interrogative expression used to solicit an explanation or justification for a particular event, phenomenon, or statement. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use across various domains, confirming its grammatical correctness and broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how do you explain" is a versatile and grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to request clarification or justification. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequent appearance across diverse sources, notably in news and academic contexts, underscores its widespread applicability. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject. Alternatives like "can you elaborate on" or "what's the reasoning behind" offer nuanced ways to seek understanding, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's the explanation for

A more direct alternative, simply replacing "how do you" with "what's the".

can you elaborate on

Replaces "explain" with a request for more detailed information.

could you clarify

Focuses on making something clearer, rather than a full explanation.

what's your interpretation of

Asks for a personal understanding or perspective.

how would you interpret

Similar to the above, focusing on subjective understanding.

what's the reasoning behind

Focuses specifically on the logical justification.

what's the rationale for

Similar to 'reasoning', but often used in more formal contexts.

what accounts for

Asks for the factors that contribute to a situation.

what is your justification for

Asks for a defense or validation of an action or decision.

can you give me some background on

Requests context or preliminary information.

FAQs

How can I use "how do you explain" in a sentence?

You can use "how do you explain" to ask for clarification or an explanation about a specific situation or phenomenon. For example, "How do you explain the recent market crash?" or "How do you explain the popularity of this new trend?"

What phrases are similar to "how do you explain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "what's your interpretation of", "can you elaborate on", or "what's the reasoning behind", which all seek to understand the rationale or meaning behind something.

Is "how do you explain" formal or informal?

"How do you explain" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the specific subject being discussed.

What's the difference between "how do you explain" and "why"?

While both seek understanding, "how do you explain" often implies a request for a detailed account or justification, whereas "why" can be a more direct and open-ended inquiry into the cause or reason.