need explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need explanation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that further clarification or details are required. For example, "I need explanation on this topic to understand it better." Alternative expressions include "require clarification" and "seek an explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Yet, like most Conceptual art, the photographs need explanation.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the people he mentions need explanation now -- who was Carole Landis?

The New York Times - Books

Other with-sound options that might need explanation are :notehook and :continue-old-file.

Stanford University

References that may be less obvious need explanation, either immediately or as footnotes, in an appendix or glossary.

The Guardian

When staged well, the cat fight between Helena and Hermia is hilarious: it doesn't need explanation, because there is clarity in both Shakespeare's verse and his scenario.

The Guardian

Being an outsider led him to choose musical ideas that didn't need explanation, that could survive and propagate away from home.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

We need explanations".

The New York Times

"People need explanations," Mr. Cooper said in an interview.

The New York Times - Style

Frank seems to know that we need explanations for his odder comments.

The Guardian - Books

I don't think we need explanations.

BBC

We need explanations and not by an expert group behind closed doors; not civil services' diplomats.

European Parliament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need explanation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specifically requires further clarification to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "An explanation is needed" when you can directly state who needs the explanation: "I need explanation" or "They need explanation". This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need explanation" functions as a request or indication of a requirement for further clarification or details. It's used to express that something is not fully understood and requires more information to be comprehensible. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "need explanation" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the necessity for further clarification. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly found in various contexts, ranging from news articles and scientific publications to academic papers. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly points to what requires further explaining. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider alternatives like "require clarification" in more formal settings. Remember to avoid overuse of the passive voice for more direct and engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require clarification

Indicates a need for something to be made clearer.

demand further explanation

Emphasizes a strong requirement for additional explaining.

necessitate further details

Highlights that more specific information is essential.

call for more elaboration

Suggests a need to expand upon existing information.

warrant additional exposition

Implies a justification for further explanation.

beg for a clearer understanding

Shows a strong desire to get better the concept

invite more detailed explanation

Indicates more detailed explanation will be helpful

prompt further discussion

Suggests that more detailed explanation will be the seed for further discussion.

require comprehensive understanding

Implies comprehensive information to get understanding

demand complete breakdown

Emphasizes the need for detailed explanation to breakdown the whole meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "need explanation" to express that something requires further clarification, such as: "This concept needs explanation", or "I need explanation on this topic".

What are some alternatives to "need explanation"?

Some alternatives include "require clarification", "demand further explanation", or "necessitate further details".

When is it appropriate to use "need explanation" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that a topic, concept, or statement is unclear and requires additional information or detail for better understanding. For example, "The results of the study need explanation to be fully understood".

Is "need explanation" formal or informal?

"Need explanation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider using alternatives like "require clarification" or "necessitate further details" for a more sophisticated tone.