it could be explained by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could be explained by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a potential reason or cause for a particular situation or phenomenon. Example: "The sudden increase in sales could be explained by the recent marketing campaign that targeted a younger audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Migration Observatory, based at Oxford University, said it could be explained by Britain's relatively strong economic growth.

The Guardian

It could be explained by a very co-morbid status of patients in cardiac surgery ICU.

Annals of Intensive Care

It could be explained by modulus mismatch and different bonding states between ZrCu/Si and ZrCu/Zr interfaces.

Applied Surface Science

It could be explained by the electric current avoiding the peninsula and seafloor high area (i.e., spur).

Earth, Planets and Space

It could be explained by appearance of cracks on the nutrient surface due to desiccation with corresponding release of particles of nutrient to the air carrier.

Journal of Aerosol Science

It could be explained by a greater maturity level among the higher year's mathematics participants who are more inclined towards a learning-oriented mindset.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

For the interesting phenomenon that medium concentration was more suitable than higher or lower ones, we assume that it could be explained by the following two aspects.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It could be explained by the limitation on the majority of the products that could be outsourced (see constraint 8 in 'Description and formulation of the proposed model').

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

It could be explained by the accumulation of Sb above the QDs, compensating the tensile strain induced by the N incorporation together with an In-Ga intermixing inhibition.

Nanoscale Research Letters

But it could be explained by the sum of the content of the individual phenolic acids in the free fraction which significantly increased as the drying time lengthened as observed also for mandarin pomace [39].

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

For the "instrument-like" category, the variability seems to be related to the difficulty of theoretically defining this type of sound, whereas for the impacts, it could be explained by the overly general character of this category.  .

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it could be explained by" to introduce a hypothesis or a potential reason for something you're discussing. This is especially useful in academic papers or reports where you're exploring different explanations.

Common error

Avoid presenting the explanation following "it could be explained by" as a definitive fact. Maintain a level of uncertainty to reflect the speculative nature of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be explained by" functions as a causal connector, introducing a potential explanation for a phenomenon or observation. It suggests a possible reason without stating it as a definitive fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

84%

News & Media

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could be explained by" serves as a versatile causal connector used to introduce potential explanations. As Ludwig AI highlights, it maintains grammatical correctness and finds frequent use across various domains, especially in science and news. While suitable for formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to remember that this phrase introduces a possibility, not a certainty. By using related phrases and avoiding the mistake of presenting it as a definitive explanation, you can effectively integrate "it could be explained by" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is potentially caused by

Similar to "it may be due to", but suggests possibility.

it may be due to

A more direct way of stating the cause.

this is possibly because

Introduces an explanation with a degree of uncertainty.

it might be attributed to

Emphasizes attribution, suggesting the cause is being assigned.

the cause might be

Focuses on identifying the direct cause.

it can be accounted for by

Suggests a comprehensive explanation that covers all aspects.

one explanation could be

Introduces one potential explanation among others.

this could stem from

Implies the explanation is a root cause or origin.

a possible reason is

Highlights the speculative nature of the explanation.

an interpretation could be

Offers a way of understanding the situation, but not necessarily the cause.

FAQs

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

Use "it could be explained by" to introduce a potential reason or cause for a phenomenon. For example, "The decline in sales could be explained by the recent economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "it could be explained by"?

Alternatives include "it might be attributed to", "it may be due to", or "it can be accounted for by". Each offers a slightly different nuance in meaning.

Is it correct to use "it could be explained by" in formal writing?

Yes, "it could be explained by" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when presenting potential explanations or hypotheses in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "it could be explained by" and "it is explained by"?

"It could be explained by" suggests a possible explanation, whereas "it is explained by" indicates a definite and confirmed explanation. The former expresses uncertainty, while the latter conveys certainty.