overall explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overall explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when summarizing or providing a comprehensive account of a topic or situation. Example: "The overall explanation of the project's objectives helped the team understand their roles better."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

You provide an overall explanation, because people will riot if you don't, but can you even try to break it down?

The New York Times - Arts

However, this would make the overall explanation less syntactically simple, and hence less virtuous in other respects.

SEP

In addition, likelihood ratio tests strongly supported the thesis that indebtedness was a multi-faceted behavior which is comprised of demographic/institutional, financial, economic, psychological, and situational aspects, each critically important to the overall explanation of indebtedness behavior.

Journal of Economic Psychology

Variation in composite fire severity was accounted for by a classification tree (R2 = 0.44) based on cover type (contributing with 51% to the overall explanation), stand variables, aspect, distance to the PS OF edge and fire spread pattern.

Forest Ecology and Management

The appeal of sets, in short, results from a metaphysical myopia, but, once we adopt a larger view of things, we find that properties provide the best global, overall explanation.

SEP

Similarly, if our overall goal is to explain the history and practice of science, our best theory of rationality is the one that, along with other theoretical posits, plays a relevant and crucial role in our overall explanation of the history and practice of science.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We discuss reasons for these results, consider overall explanations for the subtle nature of sequencing effects on HCI tasks, and provide an agenda for further research and design lessons regarding recency effects.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Including the mediating variables added 8%, 12%, and 7% to the explained variance, yielding overall explanations of 39%, 50%, and 44% of the variance of vocational identity, workplace identity, and workplace effort, respectively.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The puzzle is why countries' net foreign investment is such a small part of overall investment.The explanation begins with a basic principle: current-account deficits must, sooner or later, be followed by current-account surpluses.

The Economist

Overall, the explanation given by the RNs for the vague nursing perspective was the lack of time.

BMC Health Services Research

These aspects start to become sample dependent, which could be problematic for an overall general explanation without experimental evidence; however, they are considered and discussed here.

Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and Advances

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overall explanation" when you want to provide a comprehensive account that covers the main aspects without delving into excessive detail.

Common error

Avoid using "overall explanation" excessively in highly technical documents where precise terminology and detailed analyses are more appropriate. Consider replacing it with more specific terms like "integrated analysis" or "system-level interpretation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall explanation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a comprehensive or general account of a subject, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overall explanation" is a commonly used phrase that provides a comprehensive but not overly detailed account of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including science and news media. While it's a useful phrase, consider alternatives like "general explanation" or "comprehensive explanation" depending on the desired level of detail. Remember to avoid overusing it in highly technical documents, where more precise terminology might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general explanation

Focuses on the broad strokes rather than specific details, similar to "overall explanation".

comprehensive explanation

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness in the account.

complete explanation

Suggests that all aspects are covered and no part is missing.

holistic explanation

Highlights the interconnectedness of the elements being explained.

broad explanation

Indicates a wide-ranging scope, covering many aspects.

inclusive explanation

Highlights that no aspect is left out.

global explanation

Provides a perspective from a wide angle.

summary explanation

Presents a concise version of the main details.

general overview

Shifts the focus to providing a high-level summary.

blanket explanation

Implies covering something universally, sometimes without nuance.

FAQs

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

You can use "overall explanation" when you want to provide a comprehensive understanding of a topic, such as, "The professor provided an "overall explanation" of the theory to help the students grasp the key concepts."

What are some alternatives to "overall explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "general explanation", "comprehensive explanation", or "complete explanation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "overall explanation"?

It's appropriate to use "overall explanation" when you want to give a broad understanding without focusing on minute details, often suitable for introductory summaries or non-technical audiences.

What is the difference between "overall explanation" and "detailed explanation"?

"Overall explanation" provides a general understanding, while "detailed explanation" offers a thorough and specific account, often including intricate aspects and nuances. Consider using an "exhaustive explanation" for a more in-depth analysis.