requested to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "requested to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is being asked to provide clarification or details about a specific topic or situation. Example: "The committee requested to explain the reasons behind the budget cuts during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For each dependent variable, there was an open question in which the respondent was requested to explain the reason for their choice.

BMC Medical Education

These subjects were interviewed after the log analysis and when requested to explain the poor compliance, they generically reported "lack of time" and "scheduling problems" as the main reasons for the incomplete training.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Russian government declined multiple requests to explain the composition and roles of its forces.

The New York Times

— along with a few tough ones, including a request to explain his administration's approach to Internet regulation.

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum's campaign did not respond to a request to explain who or what the candidate's sources were.

The New York Times

The company didn't respond to a request to explain why sales have been restricted to the US.

The Guardian - Tech

General Shelton did not return a phone call yesterday and has declined repeated requests to explain his comments.

The New York Times

Since then our phones have been ringing constantly, with requests to explain, and comment on the action.

The Guardian - Opinion

Justice Teresi also acceded to a defense request to explain state law on the authority police officers have to approach citizens and request information.

The New York Times

Before responding to a viewer's request to explain the American Presidential election, Kugel pretended to down a bottle of aspirin, then said, "Donald Trump is a puta babaca".

The New Yorker

Google did not respond to requests to explain whether the review system for edits is automated, conducted by people or a mixture of both.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "requested to explain", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the request and what needs to be explained. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "requested to explain" without specifying the subject or context. Always provide sufficient information to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "requested to explain" functions as a verb phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating a formal or official request for clarification or justification. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "requested to explain" is a grammatically sound phrase used to formally ask for clarification or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While "asked to clarify" or "invited to elaborate" serve as alternatives, "requested to explain" maintains a slightly more official tone. When employing this phrase, ensure clear context to avoid vagueness. Despite its uncommon usage, the phrase remains a valid and appropriate choice when seeking formal explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asked to clarify

Focuses on making something clearer, often implying simplification.

invited to elaborate

Suggests a more open-ended request for additional details.

required to justify

Implies a need to provide reasons or evidence for something.

called upon to account for

Suggests a formal request to provide a detailed explanation, often in response to a problem or discrepancy.

sought an explanation for

Highlights the act of seeking a reason or justification.

demanded justification of

Implies a strong insistence on receiving a valid explanation.

tasked with elucidating

Focuses on the responsibility to make something understandable.

pressured to give reasons for

Highlights the sense of obligation or external demand.

compelled to rationalize

Suggests an attempt to justify actions, possibly after the fact.

given the floor to expound

Implies a formal opportunity to speak in detail about a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "requested to explain" in a sentence?

You can use "requested to explain" when someone has asked for clarification or details on a particular subject. For example, "The manager was requested to explain the project delays".

What's a formal alternative to "requested to explain"?

A formal alternative to "requested to explain" could be "required to justify" or "called upon to account for", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "asked to explain" and "requested to explain"?

While similar, "requested to explain" suggests a more formal or official inquiry than "asked to explain". "Asked" is generally more informal and conversational.

What does it mean when someone is "requested to explain" something?

When someone is "requested to explain" something, it means they have been formally asked to provide details, reasons, or clarification regarding a specific issue or situation.