it only explains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it only explains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something provides clarification or information but does not go beyond that. Example: "The report is informative, but it only explains the basic concepts without delving into the complexities of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But even then, it only explains about 25% of the differences in election results.

The Guardian - Opinion

It wouldn't have done well by any means: it only explains about 12 percent of default risk.

The New York Times

Yes, the weaker currency helps but it only explains part of the success.

Forbes

It only explains that there is a significant discrepancy between male and female cheating frequencies under low risk conditions.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

A limitation with Borjas' extension of the Becker and Tomes model is, however, that it only explains persistence in the economic position.

IZA Journal of Migration

However, it only explains more females in patients with chronic cough seeking medical advice.

Cough

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

CHR6 explained 16.5%% of the COCO variation for Set 1 (Table 3), while it only explained 2.4 % COCO variation for Set 2 (Table 4).

AMB Express

Research on algal greening in Belfast did note a negative correlation with the stone surface temperature, but also found that it only explained 14%% of the variance [28].

Heritage Science

Initially, habitat plot (12 areas) was also included as a random factor, but since it only explained between 0-1% of variation it was removed to simplify models.

BMC Ecology

However, it only explained 8% of our observations as compared to the normal population, thus indicating a multifactorial background for the annual BMI increase.

British Journal of Cancer

It only explained 22 26% of the results in the first range (<500 mg/day) and merely 1% in the second range (500 1000 mg/day).

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it only explains" when you want to emphasize that something provides a limited or partial explanation. Be sure to clarify what other factors might be involved for a complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "it only explains" when the explanation is actually comprehensive or sufficient. Ensure that there are indeed other factors at play that are not being covered by the explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it only explains" functions as a qualifier, limiting the scope or completeness of an explanation. It's used to indicate that something provides clarification or information, but does not give a complete or exhaustive account. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Science & Research

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it only explains" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote that an explanation is partial or limited. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s effective for setting boundaries around the scope of an explanation. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating its versatility. Remember to use this phrase when you want to acknowledge an explanation but also highlight that it does not provide a complete picture and that additional factors may be relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it merely clarifies

Emphasizes the act of making something clearer, but not necessarily providing a full understanding.

it simply indicates

Highlights the pointing out of a fact, without delving into deeper explanations.

it partially accounts for

Shows that something is responsible for a part of something, but not the whole.

it only describes

Focuses on providing a description without providing deeper meaning or connections.

it just suggests

Implies a hint or a possibility, rather than a definite explanation.

it sheds light on

Offers some understanding, but may not fully resolve the matter.

it goes some way towards explaining

Acknowledges that an explanation is offered, but it isn't complete.

it offers a limited explanation

Highlights that the explanation provided is restricted or not exhaustive.

it provides a superficial answer

Suggests that the answer given is not comprehensive or deep.

it gives a glimpse of

Implies an initial, brief view or understanding of something.

FAQs

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

Use "it only explains" to indicate that something provides a partial explanation or accounts for just a portion of a situation. For example, "While the data is helpful, "it only explains" a small fraction of the overall trend".

What are some alternatives to "it only explains"?

You can use alternatives like "it merely clarifies", "it partially accounts for", or "it just suggests" to convey a similar meaning, emphasizing a limited explanation.

Is it correct to say "it only explains a part of"?

Yes, "it only explains a part of" is grammatically correct and reinforces the idea that the explanation is incomplete. It's a more explicit way to express the limited scope of the explanation.

What's the difference between "it explains" and "it only explains"?

"It explains" implies a complete explanation, while ""it only explains"" emphasizes that the explanation is partial or incomplete, indicating that other factors are likely involved.