supply an explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supply an explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide a reason or clarification for something. Example: "In order to understand the decision better, could you please supply an explanation for the changes made?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "It is particularly surprising that the Youth Justice Board did not supply this information to parliament or, at the very least, supply an explanation of what was omitted".

The Guardian

Third, although many had decried the viciousness of those who argued for the inferiority of women, Marinella was one of the first to supply an explanation of the motives of men who published misogynist works, and to connect those motives to the exclusion of women from public life (Jordan 1990, 259; Cox 1995, 516).

SEP

Furthermore, an initial loss of paternal DNA methylation, prior to S-phase, seems to take place, for which none of the activities investigated in this work seem to supply an explanation.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The novel's first half leads up to the killing, embroidering a baroque context without entirely supplying an explanation.

The New York Times - Books

Instead compressive residual stresses developed at the unloaded tip which supplied an explanation to the slow rate of the propagated short crack in this bainitic high strength bearing steel.

International Journal of Fatigue

The structure of the KAR3 E631A mutant (equivalent to E236A) confirms that the mutated side chain can no longer interact strongly with the P-loop (Yun et al., 2001), supplying an explanation for the increased ADP off rate in the detached state of this mutant.

eLife

Though Dr Mathur is cautious on the matter, his theory might supply an alternative explanation about why when viewed on the grandest scales the universe appears remarkably uniform.At the moment, this uniformity is put down to a phenomenon known as cosmic inflation, in which the universe is supposed to have expanded rapidly when it was very young.

The Economist

The ability of EWS to interact with numerous proteins implicated in transcriptional regulation and RNA processing [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29] may supply an alternative explanation.

Plosone

The unique circumstances of the current study can supply an additional explanation for the negative relationship between death anxiety and self-esteem and sense of mastery.

Clinical interventions in aging

The court further ruled that the department had failed to supply a plausible explanation for treating light trucks and S.U.V.'s more leniently than ordinary cars.

The New York Times

But with Platini's candidacy dead in the water after he failed to supply a convincing explanation for why he received £1.35m from Blatter nine years after he stopped working for him, the Sheikhs began to consider a plan B. With Uefa also casting around for an alternative following the defenestration of their leader, the planets aligned for Sheikh Salman.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supply an explanation", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs clarification. Be specific about the subject requiring explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "supply an explanation" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler phrases like "explain" or "give a reason" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supply an explanation" functions as a verb phrase where "supply" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object (the explanation). This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which validates its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33.33%

News & Media

33.33%

Encyclopedias

33.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supply an explanation" is grammatically sound and used to request or offer clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is more common in neutral contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. While not overly formal, it is suitable for many professional communications. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "give a reason" or simply "explain". Remember to be specific about what requires explanation to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a rationale

Uses "offer" instead of "supply" and "rationale" instead of "explanation".

furnish a clarification

Replaces "supply" with "furnish" and "explanation" with "clarification".

provide a justification

Substitutes "supply" for "provide" and "explanation" for "justification".

give a reason

Employs simpler terms like "give" and "reason" instead of "supply" and "explanation".

elucidate the reasons

Uses "elucidate" for a more formal tone and focuses on "reasons".

offer insights into

Focuses on providing deeper understanding or "insights".

clarify the motives

Shifts the focus to "motives" rather than a general explanation.

present the details

Replaces explanation with a more generic "details".

shed light on the matter

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate clarification.

outline the contributing factors

Focuses on "contributing factors" instead of a comprehensive explanation.

FAQs

What is a good substitute for "supply an explanation"?

Alternatives include "provide an explanation", "offer an explanation", or simply "explain", depending on the context.

How do I use "supply an explanation" in a sentence?

You can use it to ask for a reason or clarification. For example: "Could you please supply an explanation for this decision?"

Is "supply an explanation" formal or informal?

"Supply an explanation" leans towards a more formal register. Simpler phrases are more suitable for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "supply an explanation" and "give an explanation"?

While similar, "supply an explanation" suggests a more comprehensive or detailed clarification compared to "give an explanation".