potential explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"potential explanation" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a possible reason or cause for something. You can use it when discussing a potential reason for a situation, event, or phenomenon. Example: "There are several potential explanations for the increase in crime rates in the city. One possibility is the decrease in police presence, while another could be the economic downturn leading to more desperation among individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another potential explanation is discrimination.

The New York Times

One potential explanation is the language barrier.

The Economist

There is another potential explanation for Mr. Miyazawa's forceful speech.

The New York Times

One potential explanation relates to differences in the consumption of carbohydrate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This points to another potential explanation for our multimodal minds: experience.

The New Yorker

Recent polls have suggested support for Podemos decreasing, with analysts pointing to the situation in Greece as a potential explanation.

The Guardian

The potential explanation or defense of the I.R.S.'s actions, however, would be more long-winded.

The New York Times

A potential explanation: the recession.

Forbes

A second potential explanation is instrument construction.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

The authors cite heightened distraction as a potential explanation.

TechCrunch

Lastly, the third potential explanation is in sample differences.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "potential explanation" to introduce a reasoned, but not yet proven, cause or reason. Always support it with available evidence and context.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "potential explanation" as a confirmed fact. Use hedging language, such as "may be," "could be," or "it is possible that," to maintain appropriate scientific or academic rigor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential explanation" serves as a noun phrase that introduces a possible reason or cause for a phenomenon. It prefaces an explanation that is not yet confirmed but warrants consideration. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "potential explanation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce a possible, but not yet confirmed, reason or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. The phrase is particularly common in scientific and news-related contexts. When using "potential explanation", it's important to frame it as one possibility among others and to avoid presenting it as a definitive answer. Alternatives like "possible rationale" or "plausible cause" can be used depending on the specific context. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "potential explanation" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible rationale

Emphasizes a reasoned or logical basis that could explain something.

plausible cause

Highlights the believability and possibility of the reason.

conceivable reason

Focuses on the possibility of imagining or conceiving the explanation.

tenable hypothesis

Suggests an explanation that is defensible or maintainable.

credible account

Highlights the trustworthiness and reliability of the explanation.

workable theory

Focuses on the practical applicability of the explanation.

likely justification

Emphasizes the probability and support for the explanation.

theoretical basis

Highlights the theoretical foundations upon which an explanation rests.

possible interpretation

Focuses on how something could be understood or explained.

alternative explanation

Suggests that there are other possible explanations to consider.

FAQs

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

You can use "potential explanation" to introduce a possible reason for something. For example: "One "potential explanation" for the increase in sales is the new marketing campaign."

What's a good alternative to "potential explanation"?

Alternatives include "possible rationale", "plausible cause", or "conceivable reason". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How do I introduce a "potential explanation" without making it sound like a certainty?

Use phrases like "one "potential explanation" is", "a possible reason could be", or "it's conceivable that" to indicate uncertainty.

Is there a difference between "potential explanation" and "probable explanation"?

"Potential explanation" suggests a possibility that needs further investigation. "Probable explanation" implies a higher likelihood based on current evidence.