in order to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

"in order to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a reason or purpose related to a previous statement. For example, "She had read all the documents carefully, in order to explain her conclusions to the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In order to explain how it came about, Ferguson deploys an unexpectedly cutting-edge metaphor.

The Guardian - Books

In order to explain his company, he offered me a seat and reached for a book.

The New York Times - Magazine

In order to explain the motion of the planets, Ptolemy combined eccentricity with an epicyclic model.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We are just thinking of what to choose out of them in order to explain the present".

The New York Times

But I began to tell you all of this in order to explain why Octave left for Brazil".

The New Yorker

McNamee's lawyer said Thursday that McNamee made up the story in order to explain his own discussions with the authorities.

The New York Times

"Nevertheless, knowledge of Mein Kampf continues to be important in order to explain National Socialism and the Shoah.

The Guardian

The herbs contained every ingredient the scientists were looking for in order to explain such a positive causal effect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let me digress in order to explain why.

BBC

In order to explain this behaviour several hypotheses are discussed.

Construction and Building Materials

An example is shown in order to explain the method.

Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in order to explain", ensure that the explanation directly follows and is relevant to the preceding statement.

Common error

Avoid using "in order to explain" in conjunction with other redundant phrases like "because" or "since" in the same sentence. Choose the most concise and effective option to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to explain" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to introduce a clause that clarifies a previous point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI confirms that "in order to explain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase functioning as a purpose connector. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to introduce clarifications or justifications. Alternatives include "to clarify" or "so as to explain". When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid redundancy with similar expressions. Its frequency and authoritative sources support its reliable use in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so as to explain

Offers a slightly more formal alternative to "in order to".

for the purpose of explaining

Adds emphasis to the intention behind the explanation.

with the aim of explaining

Highlights the goal or objective of providing an explanation.

to clarify

Changes the phrasing to a more concise infinitive form.

to elucidate

Replaces "explain" with a more formal synonym, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

by way of explanation

Introduces the explanation itself as a method or approach.

as an explanation

Presents the following information as a direct explanation.

to give reasons for

Focuses on providing the underlying reasons or justifications.

the reason being

A more direct and concise way to introduce an explanation.

that is to say

Used to provide further clarification or restatement of a previous point.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to explain" in a sentence?

Use "in order to explain" to introduce a clause that provides reasoning or clarification for a previous statement. For example, "I conducted thorough research "in order to explain" the observed phenomena".

What are some alternatives to "in order to explain"?

You can use alternatives such as "to clarify", "to elucidate", or "so as to explain" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "in order to explain" or "to explain"?

"In order to explain" is generally considered slightly more formal than simply using "to explain". Both are correct, but "in order to explain" adds emphasis to the purpose.

What is the difference between ""in order to explain"" and "because"?

"In order to explain" indicates the intention to provide an explanation, while "because" directly states the reason or cause. The former focuses on the purpose, while the latter focuses on the cause.