mostly explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something provides a general or partial explanation rather than a complete one. Example: "The report mostly explains the reasons for the project's delay, but it lacks specific details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

More than a third of voters have seen advertisements for Mr. Bush, and they are divided over whether they mostly explain things about Mr. Bush or attack Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

And, yes, that is probably hindering new competition from entering the market, though it certainly can't fully, or even mostly, explain Citigroup and Bank of America abandoning the field.

The New York Times

Also, unlike MobileMe, iCloud is a free service — which should mostly explain the explosive growth.

TechCrunch

While, the third scenario mostly explain how ATRS can provide a personalized recommendation on travel products to the traveler.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Our estimates give evidence that human capital and other establishment-level characteristics mostly explain the wage differential among manufacturers and energy providers.

Energy Policy

The tsunami heights due to the combination of the movement of the NAFZ and a triggered submarine landslide can mostly explain the historical tsunami records (Kaneko 2009).

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I mostly explained the consequences of continued fighting".

The New York Times

3.46pm: The health secretary is mostly explaining the bill and what it will mean.

The Guardian

Southern Italy's backwardness is mostly explained by some local authorities squandering money on unnecessary projects.

The Economist

The rest was mostly explained by career choices: for instance, more women worked at nonprofits, which pay less.

The New York Times

What mostly explained it was another measure: batting average on balls in play, which is simply a player's average on batted balls that are not home runs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly explain" when you want to convey that something provides a general or primary understanding, but not necessarily a complete or exhaustive explanation. For instance, "The increase in sales can be mostly explained by the new marketing campaign."

Common error

Avoid using "mostly explain" if the factor you're discussing fully accounts for the phenomenon. Instead, use "fully explain" or "completely explain" when the explanation is comprehensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly explain" functions as a verb phrase, where "mostly" modifies the verb "explain". It indicates that something provides a partial or primary explanation but not necessarily a complete one. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly explain" is used to indicate that something provides a general or primary understanding, but not necessarily a complete or exhaustive explanation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. It's frequently seen in scientific and news media contexts, as seen in the Ludwig examples, and has a neutral register making it suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, ensure that the explanation is indeed significant but not exhaustive; if the explanation is complete, consider using "fully explain" instead. For alternatives, you can use "largely account for", "mainly clarify" or "primarily elucidate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely account for

Emphasizes that something is the primary reason, similar to a high percentage of the explanation.

mainly clarify

Highlights the aspect of making something clear, with a focus on the principal elements.

primarily elucidate

A more formal way to say explain, with a stronger emphasis on making something clear and understandable.

chiefly explicate

Similar to elucidate, but with a touch more formality and emphasis on detailed explanation.

generally interpret

Focuses on offering a common or broad understanding of something.

substantially illuminate

Suggests shedding light on a significant portion of the subject, making it easier to understand.

largely delineate

Highlights the action of outlining or defining the key aspects.

principally define

Focuses on setting out the main parameters or characteristics of something.

predominantly resolve

Emphasizes addressing or answering a significant part of a question or issue.

mostly describe

Similar to explain, but focuses more on providing details and characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly explain" in a sentence?

You can use "mostly explain" to indicate that something provides a general or partial explanation, but not a complete one. For example, "The new policy "mostly explains" the recent changes, but some nuances remain."

What are some alternatives to "mostly explain"?

Alternatives include "largely account for", "mainly clarify", or "primarily elucidate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "mostly explain"?

Yes, it is a grammatically correct phrase. It indicates that something provides a significant part of the explanation, but not necessarily the entire explanation.

What's the difference between "mostly explain" and "fully explain"?

"Mostly explain" suggests a partial explanation, while "fully explain" indicates a complete and exhaustive explanation.