it can be explained by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be explained by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a phenomenon or situation that has a reason or cause that can be clarified or justified. Example: "The increase in temperature can be explained by the greenhouse effect and rising carbon emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This behavior for BWA was surprising when compared with its behavior in the previous experiments; however, it can be explained by the definition of NFI used by RABEMA.

BMC Genomics

It can be explained by the configuration of adsorbed 2Clpy on the electrode surface.

Electrochimica Acta

It can be explained by existence of unknown constantly working mechanism of particle precipitation.

Advances in Space Research

It can be explained by taking into account the experimental errors not included in the original work.

Materials Letters

Pedestrian safety is an important aspect while crossing the road and it can be explained by pedestrian gap acceptance behaviour.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

That variation between polls isn't surprising – it can be explained by the fact that different polls speak to different people.

The Guardian

While this time differs from city to city, it can be explained by the ratio of the vehicle miles traveled to their available street capacity.

University of California, Berkeley

It can be explained by a growth in populism but also, in certain towns, by the divisions in the right or the left.

The Guardian

As for the poor scoring of apps, it can be explained by the lack of great interfaces for smartphones, and the still relatively small penetration of tablets.

The Guardian - Tech

Possibly it can be explained by saying that, in the end, Wilson was a writer, and he thought he had found a good story.

The New Yorker

Nor that it can be explained by the supposition that, philosophy being concerned above all with arguments, women are naturally less adept in the field.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can be explained by", ensure that the explanation you provide is clear and directly relevant to the statement being explained. Ambiguous or vague explanations weaken the effectiveness of the phrase.

Common error

While "it can be explained by" is grammatically sound, overuse can lead to passive voice. Actively construct sentences when possible (e.g., "Technological improvements explain the decline in the labor share of income" instead of "Much of it can be explained by technological improvements").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be explained by" functions as a causal connector, introducing an explanation or reason for a preceding statement or observation. This is demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, where it links observations to underlying causes or factors. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

27%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can be explained by" serves as a crucial tool for providing clarity and justification in various forms of communication. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed across numerous contexts. The phrase's purpose is to link observations to underlying causes, fostering better understanding. Predominantly found in scientific, news and media, and academic texts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. While generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of passive voice overuse and strive for active sentence constructions where possible. The many examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its widespread use and adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is attributable to

Focuses on the cause being directly responsible for the effect; more formal.

it is due to

Indicates direct causation or consequence; straightforward and common.

the reason for this is

Emphasizes the rationale or motive behind a situation.

this is accounted for by

Highlights that something has been considered and its impact understood.

this stems from

Implies an origin or source from which something arises.

it's a consequence of

Highlights the outcome or result of a preceding action or event.

this results from

Similar to "consequence of", but may imply a more direct or immediate outcome.

this arises from

Indicates the emergence of something from a particular origin or condition.

the explanation lies in

Suggests a deeper, perhaps less obvious, reason is present.

the underlying cause is

Focuses specifically on identifying the fundamental reason or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be explained by" in a sentence?

Use "it can be explained by" to introduce a reason or cause for something. For example, "The decrease in sales can be explained by the recent economic downturn".

What's a more concise way to say "it can be explained by"?

Consider using alternatives like "it is attributable to" or "it is due to" for a more direct statement.

Is "it can be explained by" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "it can be explained by" is appropriate for formal writing. However, be mindful of overusing passive constructions. An active voice might be preferable in some contexts.

What is the difference between "it can be explained by" and "it can be attributed to"?

While similar, "it can be attributed to" often suggests a more direct or causal relationship, whereas "it can be explained by" may introduce a broader range of factors.