seeking explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are looking for clarification or understanding about a particular topic or situation. Example: "The students were seeking explanation for the complex theory presented in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Rangel, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Wambua and Mr. Andrews did not return phone calls seeking explanation.

The New York Times

For those seeking explanation for the new steeliness in the general's demeanor tonight, despite the threat of war with India, the answer seemed to lie in the his assessment of what evolved in Pakistan after he ordered the U-turn in policy toward the Taliban.

The New York Times

Mendonca and Johnson (1994) Seeking explanation & checking confirmation, explanation of unclear point, restatement, providing opinions, suggestions and correction.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Analysts who still cover the Internet direct-marketing outfits avoided calls seeking explanation for the market yawn.

Forbes

Mendonca & Johnson, (1994) Questions such as seeking explanation and comprehension check, explanation of unclear points, opinion and content, restatement, suggestion and grammar correction.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

He also denied allegations that Russian agents had been fomenting unrest in eastern Ukraine and said he was seeking explanation from US of reports that CIA director John Brennan had visited Kiev.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"They're an easy way out for people seeking explanations for complex things.

The New York Times - Sports

PARIS — Some people are seeking explanations for the global economic crisis.

The New York Times

According to senior administration officials, Mr. Powell has been seeking explanations from the C.I.A. about that episode and others.

The New York Times

In seeking explanations for the career frustrations of prominent female directors, why not try looking closer to home?

The New York Times

Without question, this massive empiricism has been valuable, indispensable indeed, to those seeking explanations of social structures and processes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeking explanation" when you want to emphasize the active process of trying to find an explanation, rather than just passively receiving one.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking explanation" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "requesting clarification" or "inquiring about reasons" to enhance readability and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking explanation" functions as a gerund phrase, where "seeking" acts as a verb in its continuous form, modifying a noun (implicit). It often appears after verbs like 'be', 'is', 'are', or as a subject complement. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeking explanation" is a grammatically sound and usable gerund phrase, indicating an active pursuit of understanding or clarification. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts. While primarily found in news, scientific, and formal business settings, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. Alternatives include "requesting clarification" or "inquiring about reasons", offering nuanced options for different situations. When writing, be mindful of overuse, especially in formal documents, and ensure the phrase accurately reflects the active search for an explanation, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting clarification

Replaces "seeking" with the more direct verb "requesting" and uses the noun "clarification" instead of "explanation".

inquiring about reasons

Emphasizes the act of asking and specifies that the inquiry is about the "reasons" behind something.

looking for reasons

Uses the phrasal verb "looking for" which implies a search, and uses the word "reasons" which is similar to explanation.

asking for justification

Focuses on the need for a "justification", implying a request for a valid reason or excuse.

pursuing understanding

Highlights the active pursuit of knowledge or comprehension regarding a matter.

demanding answers

Implies a forceful request for an explanation, often in response to dissatisfaction or concern.

investigating the cause

Suggests a more formal or systematic effort to uncover the underlying "cause" of an event or phenomenon.

probing for details

Implies a thorough and persistent questioning to uncover specific "details".

searching for a rationale

Focuses on finding a logical or reasonable basis for something.

trying to comprehend

Highlights the effort being made to understand a complex or confusing matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeking explanation" to describe someone or something in search of an explanation for an event, situation, or concept. For instance, "The researchers were "seeking explanation" for the unexpected results of the experiment."

What are some alternatives to "seeking explanation"?

Alternatives to "seeking explanation" include "requesting clarification", "inquiring about reasons", or "looking for reasons". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "seeking explanation" or "seeking an explanation"?

Both "seeking explanation" and "seeking an explanation" are grammatically correct, but "seeking explanation" is more concise. "Seeking an explanation" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the search for a single, specific explanation.

What's the difference between "seeking explanation" and "offering explanation"?

"Seeking explanation" refers to the act of trying to find or obtain an explanation, while "offering explanation" refers to the act of providing or giving an explanation. They are opposite actions.