inadequate explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"inadequate explanation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which someone has been given an explanation that is not thorough enough or fails to provide enough detail. For example, "The reporter provided an inadequate explanation for the irregularities in the budget report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Sansom finds Kauffman's framework an inadequate explanation for how cells overcome the difficulty of development.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For all that, "predatory lending" is a woefully inadequate explanation of the subprime turmoil.

The New Yorker

They complain that fraud alone is an inadequate explanation for the rise of the subprime industry.

The New York Times

As far as the UK is concerned, Brexit is an inadequate explanation.

The Guardian

This said, the Lancaster study is, in itself, an inadequate explanation.

The Guardian

The claim they were swept there by the biblical flood is a completely inadequate explanation.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

In a book this size, furthermore, there are bound to be mistakes and inadequate explanations.

The New York Times - Books

Whatever it is, competition from migrant labor or the decline of factory work appear to be inadequate explanations.

The Washington Post

But it can only be hoped that the organizers will improve on the poor presentation of the current exhibition, which contains many important pieces, but meanders through the floors of the permanent collection, is not clearly enough signposted and offers inadequate explanations on the panels.

The New York Times - Arts

He's issued a barrage of press releases that ridicule specific awards, championed legislation that would alter NSF's peer-review system and slash funding for the social science programs that have supported much of the research he has questioned, and berated NSF officials for providing what he considers to be inadequate explanations of their funding decisions.

Science Magazine

Nevertheless, the problem may lie in inadequate explanations.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing an explanation as "inadequate explanation", be specific about what makes it so. Providing concrete examples of missing information or flawed logic will strengthen your critique.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that an explanation is an "inadequate explanation" without elaborating on why. Provide supporting evidence or reasoning to justify your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadequate explanation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "inadequate" modifies the noun "explanation". This phrase typically serves to describe a reason, justification, or account that is considered insufficient or unsatisfactory. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inadequate explanation" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote an explanation that falls short of expectations in terms of completeness or persuasiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a usable phrase in written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, its purpose is to express criticism or prompt further clarification. To enhance its impact, always substantiate the claim of inadequacy with specific reasons or examples. Alternatives like "insufficient clarification" or "unsatisfactory rationale" can offer nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient clarification

Focuses on the lack of clarity rather than the explanation itself.

unsatisfactory rationale

Emphasizes the reasoning behind something is unconvincing.

poor justification

Highlights the weakness of the reasons provided to support a claim or action.

weak reasoning

Indicates the logic or thought process behind an argument is flawed or unconvincing.

incomplete account

Suggests that details are missing from the explanation.

flawed explanation

Indicates that the explanation contains errors or inconsistencies.

deficient reasoning

Implies a fundamental lack of logical support.

lacking in detail

Focuses on the absence of specific information.

unconvincing argument

The presented argument does not persuade or convince the listener or reader.

sketchy account

Informal way to say the explanation is vague and potentially unreliable.

FAQs

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

You can use "inadequate explanation" to express that a reason or justification provided is not sufficient or satisfactory. For example, "The company's response to the data breach was considered an inadequate explanation by many customers."

What's a more formal way to say "inadequate explanation"?

More formal alternatives include "insufficient clarification" or "unsatisfactory rationale". For example, instead of "His excuse was an inadequate explanation", you could say "His excuse provided "insufficient clarification"" or "His rationale was an "unsatisfactory rationale"".

How does "inadequate explanation" differ from "incomplete explanation"?

"Inadequate explanation" suggests that the explanation is not good enough or does not meet the required standard, while "incomplete explanation" simply means that some information is missing. An inadequate explanation might be flawed even if complete, while an incomplete explanation could be perfectly valid as far as it goes but needs more details to be fully understood.

What are some synonyms for "inadequate explanation"?

Synonyms include "insufficient clarification", "poor justification", and "weak reasoning". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.