likely explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you feel that something is the most probable or the most likely explanation, and you want to verbalize that. For example, "The most likely explanation for the power outage is a downed power line."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The more likely explanation?

The Guardian

Admixture thus seems a more likely explanation.

Nature

But ice was always the more likely explanation.

The Washington Post

"The most likely explanation is biology," he said.

The New York Times

It is the most likely explanation for the 1992 failure.

The Guardian

Interviews with local residents revealed a more likely explanation: bonfires.

The New York Times - Science

But she said it was the most likely explanation.

The New York Times - Health

In the case of men, there is a likely explanation.

The Economist

Poisoning, whether intentional or not, seemed the most likely explanation.

The New York Times - Sports

The more likely explanation is that it is learnt.

The Economist

That seems the most likely explanation for what happened.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "likely explanation", acknowledge that it is not a definitive answer and consider presenting alternative explanations to maintain objectivity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "likely explanation" as a definitive fact. Instead, frame it as a possibility or a probability to maintain credibility and avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely explanation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "likely" modifies the noun "explanation". It's used to denote a reason or cause that is considered probable or plausible. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely explanation" is a frequently used noun phrase that offers a probable, but not definitive, reason for something. It's grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. When using "likely explanation", it's important to acknowledge its tentative nature and consider alternative perspectives. Remember that while it suggests probability, it doesn't guarantee certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plausible explanation

Replaces "likely" with "plausible", emphasizing the believability of the explanation.

probable cause

Uses "probable cause" highlighting a reason with enough merit to warrant a further process.

reasonable explanation

Substitutes "likely" with "reasonable", focusing on the rationale behind the explanation.

most obvious reason

Replaces "likely explanation" with the phrase "most obvious reason", shifting the focus to the easiness of understanding something.

best guess

Uses "best guess" to replace "likely explanation", showing the speculative nature of the given explanation.

leading hypothesis

Replaces "likely explanation" with "leading hypothesis", emphasizing the investigative nature of a possible cause.

workable explanation

Uses "workable explanation" to replace "likely explanation", focusing on the practicality of a given explanation.

potential explanation

Replaces "likely" with "potential", indicating a possible but not definitive explanation.

possible interpretation

Uses "possible interpretation", focusing on the understanding process of a cause.

tenable explanation

Uses "tenable explanation" instead of "likely explanation", stressing a cause is defensible.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely explanation" to introduce a reason or cause that is considered probable but not certain. For example, "The most "likely explanation" for the delayed flight is bad weather".

What's a "probable cause" in legal terms?

In legal terms, "probable cause" is used to describe the set of facts and circumstances that would induce a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that a particular individual has committed or is committing a crime. The phrase "probable cause" is synonymous with "likely explanation" in the legal context.

What can I say instead of "likely explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "plausible explanation", "reasonable explanation", or "potential reason" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between a "likely explanation" and a "definite answer"?

Yes, a "likely explanation" suggests a high probability but does not guarantee certainty. A "definite answer", on the other hand, implies a conclusive and undisputed truth.