necessary to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "necessary to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that an explanation is required or essential for understanding a concept or situation. Example: "The details provided in the report are necessary to explain the project's outcomes and implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's not necessary to explain.

The New York Times - Arts

Is this necessary to explain?

The New York Times

"We don't find it necessary to explain or justify anything," Mr. Lavrov said.

The New York Times

It is hardly necessary to explain why airplanes, and flight in general, conjure uneasy feelings in many of us.

The New York Times - Arts

Dr. Schwenk also doubts that venom is necessary to explain the effect of a Komodo dragon bite.

The New York Times - Science

While it's not necessary to explain why you're regretting an invitation, a close friend might wonder why you declined.

The New York Times

Some publications, like the New York Post, thought it necessary to explain this apparent disregard for convention.

Independent

It is necessary to explain the "average".

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It is shown that in both examples, poroelastic effects are necessary to explain the relevant mechanics.

Journal of Computational Physics

We, therefore, suggest that viscoelastic relaxation is necessary to explain the observed postseismic deformation.

Earth, Planets and Space

After all, we think that another precise structural study is necessary to explain all these data.

Geoscience Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, follow it with a clear and concise explanation to avoid ambiguity. The explanation should directly address the concept or situation you're referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "necessary to explain" in situations where a simpler phrase like "to explain" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "necessary to explain" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing requirement or essentiality. It highlights that an explanation is indispensable for comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatical and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "necessary to explain" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the critical role of an explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various domains. Primarily found in scientific and news contexts, it signals that an explanation is indispensable for understanding a concept or situation. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the emphasis and that the explanation provided is clear and concise. Alternatives like "essential for explaining" or "required for clarification" can be considered based on the desired level of formality and specific context. Overall, mastering the use of "necessary to explain" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential for explaining

Replaces "necessary" with "essential" and uses a gerund phrase, slightly changing the grammatical structure.

required for clarification

Substitutes "explain" with "clarification" and emphasizes the act of making something clearer.

needed to elucidate

Replaces "explain" with the more formal "elucidate", suggesting a more detailed explanation is needed.

important for understanding

Shifts the focus from explaining to the resulting understanding.

crucial for interpreting

Replaces "explain" with "interpreting", implying a more subjective understanding is required.

vital for comprehending

Uses "vital" instead of "necessary" and "comprehending" instead of "explaining", indicating high importance for understanding.

instrumental in clarifying

Emphasizes the role of something as a tool for clarification.

a prerequisite for explaining

Presents the explanation as a condition that must be met beforehand.

provides an explanation for

Focuses on the provision of an explanation rather than its necessity.

serves to clarify

Highlights the function of something in bringing clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "necessary to explain" in a sentence?

You can use "necessary to explain" to emphasize that an explanation is crucial for understanding. For example, "Detailed analysis is necessary to explain the complex interactions between these variables."

What are some alternatives to "necessary to explain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "essential for explaining", "required for clarification", or "needed to elucidate", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it better to use "necessary to explain" or simply "to explain"?

"Necessary to explain" adds emphasis to the importance of the explanation. Use it when you want to highlight that the explanation is critical for comprehension. In simpler cases, "to explain" may be sufficient.

What's the difference between "necessary to explain" and "helpful to explain"?

"Necessary to explain" indicates that understanding is impossible without the explanation. "Helpful to explain" suggests the explanation aids understanding, but is not strictly essential.