offered an explanation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offered an explanation for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone provides a reason or clarification for something that has occurred. Example: "The scientist offered an explanation for the unexpected results of the experiment during the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He offered an explanation for Rotenberg's interest.

The New Yorker

Today, she offered an explanation for why she had decided to run.

The New York Times

The research also offered an explanation for the varying abundances of the known elements.

The New York Times

On Saturday, Aurora's police chief, Daniel Oates, offered an explanation for why that might have been.

The New York Times

In a phone interview, Mr. Clark offered an explanation for why he didn't buy more Healtheon shares.

The New York Times

Mr. Foreman offered an explanation for the line: "Nietzsche locked himself inside his madness, but he did come back.

The New York Times

A man who helps smuggle foreigners into the region offered an explanation for the need for cash.

The New York Times

An undated internal Correction Department memo obtained by The New York Times offered an explanation for the delays.

The New York Times

In an e-mail message included in the court papers, Ms. Lenz offered an explanation for the lack of a buyer.

The New York Times

She offered an explanation for the disparity between Community Education's drug tests and the county's: Fraud was pervasive at Bo Robinson.

The New Yorker

The prosecutor in rural Johnson County, about 100 miles west of Little Rock, would not say whether the defendants had offered an explanation for the chaining.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "offered an explanation for" when you want to clearly indicate that someone has provided a reason or clarification for a particular event, action, or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences such that it's unclear who "offered an explanation". Ensure the subject performing the action is explicit to maintain clarity and directness. Instead of "An explanation was offered for…", use "The researcher offered an explanation for…".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offered an explanation for" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has presented a reason or clarification for a particular event, action, or situation. This is supported by Ludwig's numerous examples demonstrating its use in explaining various occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "offered an explanation for" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating that someone has provided a reason or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, as well as scientific discussions. While alternatives like "provided a reason for" or "gave a justification for" exist, "offered an explanation for" remains a reliable and versatile choice for clear communication. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and ensure the subject offering the explanation is explicit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided a reason for

Emphasizes the provision of a cause or motive.

gave a justification for

Highlights the act of defending or vindicating an action or belief.

presented a rationale for

Focuses on the logical basis or principle behind something.

explained the reasons for

Directly indicates the act of clarifying the causes or motives.

accounted for

Implies providing a comprehensive report or description.

clarified the basis for

Stresses the act of making the foundation or reason clearer.

shed light on the cause of

Suggests revealing or making the cause more understandable.

elucidated the motives behind

Emphasizes clarifying the intentions or underlying reasons.

detailed the reasons for

Focuses on providing a thorough and comprehensive explanation.

gave insights into why

Implies providing a deeper understanding or perspective.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "offered an explanation for"?

You can use alternatives like "provided a reason for", "gave a justification for", or "presented a rationale for" depending on the context.

How to use "offered an explanation for" in a sentence?

The phrase "offered an explanation for" is used to indicate that someone has provided a reason or clarification for something. For example: "The scientist "offered an explanation for" the unexpected results."

Is it better to use "gave an explanation" or "offered an explanation for"?

Both "gave an explanation" and "offered an explanation for" are grammatically correct. "Offered an explanation for" is often used to convey a more formal or considered explanation, while "gave an explanation" can be more general.

What's the difference between "offered an explanation for" and "provided insights into"?

"Offered an explanation for" implies giving a specific reason or clarification, while "provided insights into" suggests giving a deeper understanding or perspective. The best choice depends on whether you're giving a concrete reason or a broader understanding.