in explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when clarifying the reason for a certain action or statement. For example: "John left the room in explanation of his recent outburst."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Her voice softened, in explanation.

The New York Times - Style

"It's a lot of things," said McIlroy in explanation.

The Guardian - Sport

I looked inquiringly at Roberto, who said, in explanation, "Poetry".

The New Yorker

Lisa Ben, "In Explanation," Vice Versa 1, June 1947.

Columbia University

"Champagne," she giggled in explanation, and tottered away.

The New York Times - Food

"They're worn out," Mr. Hais said, in explanation.

The New York Times

"I don't feel I deserve it," he said in explanation.

The New York Times

In explanation, he said: "You feel yourself to be in a dual identity.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There was no such built-in explanation Wednesday or, for that matter, his previous two starts.

The New York Times

The vortex theory likewise provided a built-in explanation for the common direction of all planetary orbits.

SEP

Most previous work in explanation-based generalization (EBG) of plans dealt with totally ordered plans.

Artificial Intelligence

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in explanation" to smoothly introduce a reason or cause, often following an action or statement that requires clarification. For example, "She sighed, in explanation, before continuing her story."

Common error

While "in explanation" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound slightly informal. In highly formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives such as "by way of explanation" or "as a means of explaining" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in explanation" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It adds contextual information by specifying the reason or motive behind an action or statement. Ludwig examples show its frequent usage in providing immediate clarification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in explanation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to provide a reason or clarification for an action or statement. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts, showing a neutral to slightly formal register. When aiming for increased formality, alternative phrases like "by way of explanation" or "as an explanation" can be considered. While "in explanation" is generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of the specific tone required by the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an explanation

Emphasizes the act of providing an explanation, similar to "in explanation" but with a different grammatical structure.

by way of explanation

More formal and indicates that what follows serves to clarify or justify something.

to explain

A more direct and concise way of introducing an explanation.

in order to explain

Highlights the purpose of explaining something.

as a means of explaining

Similar to "by way of explanation" but emphasizes the method used.

for clarification

Focuses on making something clearer or more understandable.

to clarify

A more direct and concise way of introducing a clarification.

by clarifying

Highlights the act of clarifying.

giving an explanation

Focuses on the action of providing an explanation.

elucidating

A more formal term for providing an explanation, suggesting a detailed and thorough clarification.

FAQs

How can I use "in explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "in explanation" to introduce a reason or clarification for a previous statement or action. For example, "He shrugged, in explanation, indicating that he didn't know what else to do."

What are some alternatives to "in explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "as an explanation", "by way of explanation", or "to explain" depending on the context.

Is "in explanation" formal or informal?

"In explanation" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "by way of explanation" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "in explanation" and "as an explanation"?

"In explanation" is often used to introduce a reason given immediately after an action, while "as an explanation" typically refers to the explanation itself. For example, "He apologized, in explanation", versus "He gave that as an explanation".