needed further explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needed further explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something requires more clarification or detail to be understood fully. Example: "The concept was complex and needed further explanation for the students to grasp it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign affairs has firmly requested Meng's release, meanwhile, a spokesperson for which has said that her detention needed further explanation to "effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of the person concerned," per reports.

TechCrunch

Quiney did not attend this meeting, but he did attend the later meeting where the accounts were passed, so they appear to have needed further explanation.

Wikipedia

Such a stunning automated performance needed further explanation, so we sent a few questions off to Memo Akten and Robin McNicholas to find out a bit more about this incredibly complex, but winning combo, of light beams and flying robots.

Vice

Additional explanations for some terms (eg, 'persistent', 'HPV' and 'processed meat') were either added or made available to interviewers for respondents who needed further explanation.

BMJ Open

Nevertheless, an effect that lasts < 1 year may not be clinically significant and there was no measurable difference in total cholesterol that needed further explanation.

Diabetic Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

His basic approach barely needs further explanation from the diagram.

The Guardian - Sport

Now if, as the series is traced backward, each element gets simpler and simpler, till it becomes so simple that its existence does not need further explanation, then a threatening infinite regress can get trumped by the finite.

The New York Times

This needs further explanation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Piracy is real and doesn't need further explanation.

TechCrunch

Moreover, the term 'appropriate condition' needs further explanation.

Environmental Sciences Europe

If you need further explanation think of it as sort of an AirBnB for gadgets.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "needed further explanation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specifically requires more detail. Avoid vague references.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on passive constructions like "needed further explanation". Active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "the results needed further explanation", consider "researchers needed to explain the results further".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needed further explanation" typically functions as part of a predicate, indicating that a subject requires more clarification. As evidenced in Ludwig's examples, it often highlights a deficiency in understanding or detail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needed further explanation" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate that something requires more detail or clarification. While relatively uncommon, as noted by Ludwig, it appears across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and wikis. It's best practice to use the phrase with clear context. While the AI suggests that the phrase is correct, remember to use active voice where possible to make the writing more direct. You can also find more formal or simpler alternatives in related phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required additional clarification

Replaces "needed" with "required" and "explanation" with "clarification", implying a more formal necessity.

necessitated greater elaboration

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "needed" with "necessitated" and "explanation" with "elaboration", conveying a sense of inevitability.

demanded more detailed exposition

Substitutes "needed" with "demanded" and "further explanation" with "more detailed exposition", suggesting a strong need for a thorough explanation.

cried out for more details

Emphasizes the urgent need for more information, using a more figurative and evocative expression.

called for a fuller account

Replaces the original phrase with a more concise and formal expression, emphasizing the need for a complete description.

was begging for a better description

Uses a colloquial and slightly humorous tone to express the inadequacy of the existing description.

warranted deeper investigation

Shifts the focus to investigation rather than explanation, implying a need for further research to understand something.

was not self-explanatory

Expresses the need for explanation by stating the opposite – that the subject was not easily understood on its own.

could have used some expansion

Uses a more casual tone, suggesting that additional details would have been helpful.

left room for further interpretation

Focuses on the ambiguity that necessitates further explanation, indicating that the existing information is open to multiple understandings.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "needed further explanation" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "required additional clarification", "necessitated greater elaboration", or "demanded more detailed exposition".

What's a simpler way to say "needed further explanation"?

You could use phrases like "was not self-explanatory", "could have used some expansion", or simply "needed more detail".

Is it better to use "needs further explanation" or "needed further explanation"?

The choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "needs" for present tense and "needed" for past tense. For example, "The theory needs further explanation" versus "The theory needed further explanation".

Can "needed further explanation" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "needed further explanation" is appropriate for academic writing as long as it's used correctly to indicate that a concept, result, or method requires more detailed exposition or analysis.