in explanation of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in explanation of" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce an explanation or clarification of something that was previously mentioned. Example: "In explanation of my absence, I had a family emergency that required my immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"There are disturbing questions raised by this law," Mr. Gaffney wrote in explanation of his veto.

The New York Times

"He's a wrestler," I'd say to my buddies in explanation of Chuck's slurs.

The New York Times - Magazine

In explanation of wars that did occur, however, liberals emphasized a variety of factors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Olympics organisers wanted to censor the Sex Pistols, John Lydon has claimed in explanation of the band's decision to snub the closing ceremony on 12 August.

The Guardian - Music

"I want to and will be the real thing," he wrote last week on his blog in explanation of the delay.

The New York Times

Facts in explanation of torn Park Avenue: Reduction of the central esplanade by eighteen feet on each side to widen roadways from Forty-sixth to Forty-seventh Street.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

3. MORAL QUESTIONS A play by Albert Camus, "The Just," is sometimes cited in explanations of the moral complexities of terrorism.

The New York Times

This is especially common, and unfortunate, in explanations of human behavior.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Impersonal cultural accounts of construction are also found in explanations of nonrepresentational phenomena, for example, of sex-differentiated behavior.

SEP

Third, grassroots state behaviors are the focus in explanations of deviating policy implementation and related governance problems.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

In these fields internal mechanisms are proposed in explanations of human behavior but they are not construed in computational terms.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in explanation of", ensure that the explanation directly follows the phrase to maintain clarity for the reader. Avoid inserting unrelated information between the phrase and the explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "in explanation of" when a simple 'because' or 'since' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in explanation of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause or statement providing an explanation or justification. It serves to connect a preceding action or situation with the reasoning behind it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in explanation of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce explanations or justifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in varied contexts, including news, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries. While it's more formal than a simple 'because', overuse can make writing sound stilted. Remember to use it when you want to deliberately introduce an explanation and ensure that it flows logically from the preceding statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an explanation for

This alternative puts more stress on the explanation itself, presenting it as the direct reason.

in justification of

This suggests that the explanation serves as a defense or rationale for something.

by way of explanation for

This alternative emphasizes the manner in which the explanation is provided.

in order to explain

This phrase specifies the purpose of explaining something.

for the purpose of explaining

This phrase elaborates on the intention behind the explanation.

to clarify

This is a more concise way to indicate that what follows will make something clearer.

to give reasons for

This alternative focuses on providing a set of reasons to elucidate a matter.

to account for

This alternative suggests providing a reason or justification for something that happened.

as a means of clarifying

This option emphasizes that the explanation serves as a method for making something understandable.

by means of justifying

This alternative highlights the act of providing reasons to support or defend an action or decision.

FAQs

How do I use "in explanation of" in a sentence?

Use "in explanation of" to introduce a reason or justification for something. For example, "In explanation of his absence, he cited a prior engagement."

What are some alternatives to "in explanation of"?

You can use alternatives like "to clarify", "as an explanation for", or "in justification of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "in explanation of" or "to explain"?

While both are correct, "to explain" is generally more concise and direct. "In explanation of" is often used for more formal contexts or when emphasizing the act of providing an explanation.

What is the difference between "in explanation of" and "because of"?

"In explanation of" is used to introduce a deliberate explanation, while "because of" indicates a direct cause or reason. For example, "In explanation of the delay, the manager cited unforeseen circumstances" versus "The project was delayed because of the weather".