significant explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an explanation that is important or meaningful in a particular context. Example: "The researcher provided a significant explanation for the unexpected results of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

For her, it remains the most significant explanation of why many are now working in smaller, more flexible, more invisible ways.

The Guardian

The fact that it's something we believe to be true, and for which we (and Newton) can find lots of evidence, definitely helps to explain his belief – but it can't be the major or the most significant explanation of the difference in views between Newton and Leibniz, who were both, after all, brilliant, thoughtful mathematicians.

The Guardian

There is, however, one more significant explanation for this: Google hasn't done much to expose the Web Store to users.

TechCrunch

The model provides the significant explanation of equilibrium data (Igwe and Abia 2007; Cabuk et al. 2007).

Applied Water Science

Cost distance metrics offered a more significant explanation of in-crop density for the predatory beetle Dicranolaius bellulus (Coleoptera: Melyridae) than did the proportional-area approach.

Biological Control

Besides, the entrance of KMC provided an additional significant explanation power 14.3 % (ΔR 2 = .143; F = 1.945***, p < .001) in the variation of innovation performance.

Business Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Although the differences in explanation time were not significant, explanations by participants who had viewed action gestures were on average longer.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Encouraged by the romantic circle to write a statement of his religious views, in 1799 he published his most important and radical work in the philosophy of religion, On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers (revised editions: 1806, 1821, the latter including significant "explanations," and 1831).

SEP

Although most of these diversity measures provided significant explanations of variation in productivity, the presence of a nitrogen fixer and phylogenetic diversity were the two best explanatory variables.

Plosone

RCR is a reverse engineering algorithm to identify biological mechanisms that are statistically significant explanations for differential measurements in a molecular profiling data set.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Neither a lack of understanding of the reform initiative (OR = 1.5, 95% C.I.s 0.96 2.3), nor the possibility that physicians were already practising in a manner similar to that proposed by the Network, were statistically significant explanations for the stated intention to join the Network (OR = 1.3, 95% C.I.s 0.6 2.9).

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant explanation", ensure the explanation genuinely holds importance or weight within the context. Avoid using it for trivial or minor clarifications.

Common error

Avoid using "significant explanation" when a simpler term like "reason" or "cause" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant explanation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "significant" modifies the noun "explanation". It specifies that the explanation is of considerable importance or consequence, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant explanation" is a versatile noun phrase used to underscore the importance of a particular reason or cause. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "key explanation" or "major explanation" exist, "significant explanation" carries a unique weight, emphasizing a lasting impact or noteworthy influence. When employing this phrase, ensure the explanation truly merits the emphasis, avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Remember, as Ludwig confirms, that choosing the right phrase enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key explanation

Replaces "significant" with "key", suggesting the explanation is essential.

major explanation

Substitutes "significant" with "major", indicating a more substantial or important explanation.

primary explanation

Replaces "significant" with "primary", focusing on the main or most important explanation.

crucial explanation

Substitutes "significant" with "crucial", highlighting the critical importance of the explanation.

vital explanation

Replaces "significant" with "vital", emphasizing that the explanation is necessary or essential.

central explanation

Substitutes "significant" with "central", pointing out that the explanation is at the core of the issue.

important explanation

Replaces "significant" with "important", a more general synonym.

noteworthy explanation

Substitutes "significant" with "noteworthy", suggesting the explanation is worth paying attention to.

remarkable explanation

Replaces "significant" with "remarkable", highlighting that the explanation is striking or unusual.

telling explanation

Substitutes "significant" with "telling", implying that the explanation reveals something important.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant explanation" to refer to a reason or cause that is particularly important or meaningful. For example, "The study provided a "significant explanation" for the observed increase in sales."

What are some alternatives to "significant explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "key explanation", "major explanation", or "primary explanation" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "significant explanation" and "important explanation"?

While similar, ""significant explanation"" often implies a greater degree of impact or consequence than "important explanation". Significance suggests a lasting effect or notable influence.

When is it appropriate to use "significant explanation" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when you want to emphasize the substantial nature of a reason or cause. It's especially useful in academic, scientific, or professional contexts where precision and impact are important.