that explains it all

USAGE SUMMARY

"that explains it all" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you wish to emphasize that a certain explanation fully explains or clarifies a situation. For example, "He's been out of the office all week due to illness - that explains it all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It's hard to put all the pieces together and come up with a theory that explains it all".

The New York Times

"There's a woman, prison, babies and courts, and that explains it all," one tent rigger says by way of describing how someone comes to be doing what he's doing.

The New York Times - Arts

Jake Kornbluth and I have made this 2 minute video that explains it all in eight simple steps.

Huffington Post

"There's usually not just one event that explains it all.

The Guardian - Tech

"My little teammate, talking smack," said Julie Foudy, age 32, of the United States team and the Spirit, adding, "She's 19," knowing that explains it all.

The New York Times - Sports

That explains it all.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Timmy's Timmy," said his fellow starter Matt Cain, as if that explained it all.

The New York Times - Sports

We will fight to win," Trump said, as if that explained it all.

The New Yorker

I did have a Venn diagram that explained it all but I accidentally left it on the train.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It took me a week, and then as soon as I was finished, I found a book that explained it all".

The New York Times - Arts

That book explains it all better than I ever could.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that explains it all" when you want to express a complete understanding or clarification of a situation. It implies that something previously unclear is now fully understood.

Common error

While effective in many situations, using "that explains it all" too frequently, especially in formal writing, can sound repetitive or simplistic. Consider varying your phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that explains it all" functions as a declarative statement expressing complete understanding or clarification. It asserts that a preceding explanation fully accounts for a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that explains it all" is a commonly used phrase to express complete understanding after a clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While suitable for neutral contexts like news and general conversation, consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional writing. The phrase is particularly useful for signaling that no further explanation is needed, resolving confusion effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that clarifies everything

Focuses on clarification as the primary outcome; more direct.

that makes perfect sense now

Emphasizes the resulting understanding; implies previous confusion.

that puts everything in perspective

Highlights the shift in understanding and context.

that illuminates the situation

Uses a more metaphorical and vivid expression of understanding.

that resolves the mystery

Suggests a previously unsolved issue that has now been understood.

that's the key to understanding

Highlights the importance of the statement or information.

that is the explanation

A more straightforward and less emphatic way of saying the same thing.

that unravels the puzzle

Implies a complex situation now made simple.

that provides the answer

Highlights that previous explanation wasn't fully clear.

it all makes sense now

Changes the emphasis to the 'it' rather than the 'that'.

FAQs

How can I use "that explains it all" in a sentence?

You can use "that explains it all" at the end of a sentence or after a statement to indicate a complete understanding. For example, "He missed the deadline because of a family emergency – "that explains it all"."

What are some alternatives to "that explains it all"?

Alternatives include "that clarifies everything", "now it makes sense", or "that puts everything in perspective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that explains it all" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that explains it all" may be considered too informal for academic or highly professional writing. More formal alternatives might be preferable, such as "that elucidates the matter" or "that provides a comprehensive explanation".

What's the difference between "that explains it all" and "that sums it up"?

"That explains it all" indicates a clarification that leads to complete understanding, whereas "that sums it up" implies a concise summary of information. The first is about understanding, and the second is about brevity.