satisfactory explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"satisfactory explanation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is an adequate or acceptable explanation. For example, "The teacher accepted his satisfactory explanation for why he was late to class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that's not a satisfactory explanation.

The Economist

What is a satisfactory explanation in science?

University of California, Berkeley

No satisfactory explanation is offered of his change in attitude.

Cornell University

Astronomers as yet have no satisfactory explanation for Venus's peculiar rotational characteristics.

Britannica

Now we hope the government can give us a satisfactory explanation and justice".

The Guardian

Iran has yet to present a satisfactory explanation of how and why it has the document.

The Guardian

Like his colleagues, Magruder had never provided a satisfactory explanation for the burglaries.

The New York Times

No satisfactory explanation for this type of response in the sea slug is known.

Britannica

Other than this bit of delusion, a satisfactory explanation for Whitacre's behavior is never offered.

The New York Times - Books

There has never been a satisfactory explanation for the indifference over Rwanda.

The Guardian - Opinion

Apparently, the fact that the majority of voters preferred Barack Obama was not a satisfactory explanation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "satisfactory explanation" when you want to convey a sense of adequacy and acceptability, rather than perfection or complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid using overly general terms like "things" or "stuff" in your explanation. A lack of specificity may undermine the credibility of your "satisfactory explanation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "satisfactory explanation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'satisfactory' modifies the noun 'explanation'. It is used to describe the quality or condition of an explanation as being acceptable or adequate. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "satisfactory explanation" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that indicates an explanation meets a certain standard of acceptability or adequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its regular usage across diverse fields, notably in news, science, and academia. It functions as a noun phrase and serves the purpose of conveying sufficiency and acceptability. While its register leans toward professional, it is suitable for various contexts. When employing this phrase, ensuring specificity and clarity enhances the explanation's overall impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate explanation

Focuses on the sufficiency of the explanation, suggesting it meets the required standard.

acceptable rationale

Emphasizes the reasoning behind the explanation, implying it is reasonable and agreeable.

sufficient clarification

Highlights the act of making something clearer, implying the explanation provides enough detail.

convincing account

Stresses the persuasiveness of the explanation, suggesting it is believable and well-supported.

plausible justification

Indicates the explanation is credible and provides a reasonable basis for something.

valid interpretation

Highlights that explanation adheres to acceptable or logical rules and can be trusted.

reasonable ground

Shows the reasoning behind an explanation is sensible.

tenable argument

Implies the explanation is defensible and can withstand scrutiny.

credible story

Explains something is believable in the eyes of others.

legitimate reason

Suggests the explanation is lawful and in accordance with accepted rules or standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "satisfactory explanation" to describe an account or reason that meets a certain standard of acceptability or adequacy. For example, "The company provided a "satisfactory explanation" for the delay in shipment".

What are some alternatives to "satisfactory explanation"?

Alternatives include "adequate explanation", "acceptable rationale", or "sufficient clarification", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "satisfactory explanation" formal or informal language?

"Satisfactory explanation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What makes an explanation "satisfactory"?

A "satisfactory explanation" is one that adequately addresses the question or concern, providing enough detail and reasoning to be considered acceptable or convincing in a given context.