it explains itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"It explains itself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is self-evident, or that it does not require further explanation. For example, "The weather in Hawaii is always warm; it explains itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It explains itself in ways that Mr. Shepard's plays seldom do, moving inexorably to that big moment of self-confrontation regularly found in dysfunction-of-the-week television movies.

The New York Times

For that reason "A form is beautiful, one might say, if it demands no explanation, or if it explains itself without a concept" ("Kallias" letter of 18 February 1793, p. 155).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I had come up with the format over years of interacting with clients and designed it so that it explained itself.

The New York Times

As the Clinton team completes its sixth year, it feels it has explained itself on all subjects under the sun, and it finds repetition tedious.

The Economist

An attack by short-sellers need not wipe out a firm if it gets proper audits done, ensures it has independent directors and explains itself forcefully and well.

The Economist

The issue hits newsstands March 14. "Either the Work Explains Itself, or Fk It'".

Vice

The type of man who grabs the world by the scruff of its neck and forces it to explain itself.

Vice

The explanation of the entire series cannot be a member of the series since then it would explain itself and no contingent thing is self-explanatory.

SEP

It will explain itself".

Wikipedia

This report also raise several, as yet, unanswered questions regarding the extent to which adipotaxis (and therefore MP systemic depletion) is present in other animal models of obesity (including human obesity) as well as whether it explains by itself our observation of the absence of resident MPs in several solid tissues of ob/ob mice.

Plosone

The Times explains itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it explains itself" to emphasize that something is inherently understandable without additional context or information. For impactful writing, reserve this phrase for situations where the self-evident nature is a key point.

Common error

Avoid using "it explains itself" when the subject actually requires deeper analysis or context. Using it inappropriately can make your writing seem dismissive or lacking in thoroughness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it explains itself" functions as a declarative statement asserting that something is self-evident or requires no further clarification. Ludwig shows this usage in various contexts, highlighting its ability to convey simplicity and directness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it explains itself" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is self-evident and requires no further explanation. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples from Ludwig show its usage in diverse contexts, primarily in news and scientific domains. While not highly frequent, its appropriate use adds emphasis to the self-explanatory nature of a topic. When using this phrase, be sure the topic is truly self-evident to avoid sounding dismissive or unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is self-explanatory

Replaces the verb "explains" with the adjective "self-explanatory" for a more direct description.

it is self-evident

Synonymous with "it is self-explanatory", stressing the inherent obviousness.

it speaks for itself

Uses a metaphorical expression indicating that the subject's qualities are obvious.

it needs no further explanation

Focuses on the lack of necessity for additional clarification.

no elaboration is necessary

Emphasizes that further details are superfluous.

it is evident

Simplifies the phrase to a statement of obviousness.

it is clear

Similar to "it is evident", but emphasizes clarity.

the reason is obvious

Shifts the focus to the reason behind something being apparent.

the answer is apparent

Highlights the visibility or understandability of the answer.

it is understood

Suggests a general agreement or comprehension without explicit statement.

FAQs

How can I use "it explains itself" in a sentence?

You can use "it explains itself" to indicate that something is self-evident and requires no further explanation. For example, "The logic behind the decision is straightforward; "it explains itself"".

What are some alternatives to "it explains itself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is self-explanatory", "it speaks for itself", or "it needs no further explanation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "it explains itself" most appropriate?

The phrase is most appropriate in contexts where the subject is genuinely straightforward and easily understood, such as describing a simple process or an obvious conclusion. Overusing it can make your writing sound condescending.

Is "it explains itself" considered formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing, though more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "it is self-evident" or "no elaboration is necessary".