possible explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"possible explanation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an explanation that seems reasonable or possible based on the information that is available. For example, "The reason for the power failure is still unclear, but a possible explanation could be a problem with the wiring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only possible explanation.

The New York Times

There's another possible explanation.

The Guardian

There is another possible explanation.

The New York Times

DiVincenzo offered a possible explanation.

The New Yorker

Perspective is one possible explanation.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, there is another possible explanation.

The Economist

"We have found a possible explanation.

Independent

The third possible explanation is corruption.

The New York Times

But second thoughts provide a possible explanation.

The Economist

Carrie Meek Gallagher, the report's director, had a possible explanation.

The New York Times

But her friend, Margit Toth, offered a possible explanation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "possible explanation", clearly state that it is not a definitive answer and acknowledge other potential explanations to maintain objectivity and thoroughness.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "possible explanation" as the only or most likely explanation without sufficient evidence. Doing so can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible explanation" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a potential reason or cause for a phenomenon. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it prefaces a statement that attempts to clarify or interpret a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possible explanation" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a tentative reason or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence across diverse sources, including news media and scientific publications. While primarily neutral in register, the formality can shift based on context. When using this phrase, it's crucial to present it as a potential, not definitive, answer, acknowledging other possibilities to maintain objectivity. Related alternatives include "potential reason" or "plausible cause", offering slight variations in emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential reason

Replaces 'explanation' with 'reason', focusing on the cause rather than the account.

plausible cause

Emphasizes the believability of the cause.

conceivable justification

Focuses on the defensibility of the action or situation, making it suitable for more formal contexts.

feasible rationale

Highlights the logical basis of the explanation.

a potential answer

Suggests the idea is in response to a question or problem.

one interpretation

Focuses on a way of understanding something that may not be the definitive one.

a line of reasoning

Emphasizes the logical progression used to arrive at the explanation.

a hypothetical explanation

Stresses the speculative nature of the explanation.

a speculative reason

Highlights that the reason given is based on conjecture rather than solid proof.

an educated guess

Emphasizes that the explanation is based on knowledge but still uncertain.

FAQs

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

You can use "possible explanation" to introduce a potential reason for something. For example, "A "possible explanation" for the decline in sales is the recent economic downturn."

What is a stronger alternative to "possible explanation"?

If you have more confidence in the explanation, you could use phrases like "likely cause" or "most probable reason" instead of "possible explanation".

Is it redundant to say "a possible explanation that is possible"?

Yes, saying "a possible explanation that is possible" is redundant. The word "possible" is already implied in "possible explanation".

What's the difference between "possible explanation" and "potential explanation"?

The terms "possible explanation" and "potential explanation" are often used interchangeably. Both suggest a reason or cause that could be true, but isn't confirmed.