that explains why

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'that explains why' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain the reason for something. For example: I decided to take the bus, that explains why I was late.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over half the time, even lung samples grow out nothing that explains why a patient died.

The New York Times

So it is low fertility that explains why Europe's population is ageing faster than America's.

The Economist

At least that explains why I don't win more often.

TechCrunch

And it is politics that explains why this spending review is so minimalistic.

BBC

This is the part that explains why I'm so proud.

Huffington Post

Here is a chart that explains why this is important.

Vice

quinquefasciatus males [ 45], a pattern that explains why Cx. p. pipiens and Cx.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

That explains why bubbles can form.

The Economist

"That explains why she doesn't fit in.

The New York Times

Perhaps that explains why I'm still single.

The Guardian

That explains why he's always late home.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the statement following "that explains why" directly and logically results from the preceding information.

Common error

Avoid using "that explains why" without a clear preceding statement or context. Ensure the reader understands what 'that' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that explains why" functions as a causal connector, linking a previous statement to its explanation. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a correct way to introduce a reason. Examples illustrate its use across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that explains why" is a grammatically correct and very common causal connector used to provide a reason or explanation for a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and its frequency in news and media sources highlights its importance in clear communication. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to various contexts, ensuring a logical link between cause and effect. Remember to use it with clear antecedents and in situations where the explanation is not already self-evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is the explanation for

Rephrases to 'that is the explanation for', providing a more direct explanation.

that clarifies the reason

Replaces 'explains' with 'clarifies', emphasizing the clarification aspect.

that provides the rationale

Substitutes 'explains' with 'provides the rationale', emphasizing a reasoned justification.

that elucidates the cause

Uses 'elucidates' and 'cause', adding a formal tone and focusing on the cause.

this sheds light on why

Uses 'sheds light on', suggesting a revealing of information.

that illuminates the basis

Employs 'illuminates' and 'basis', suggesting a deeper understanding.

that accounts for the fact that

Replaces "explains why" with "accounts for the fact that", which introduces a fact following the explanation.

this clarifies the rationale

Switches to 'this' and uses 'rationale', indicating a more formal or reasoned explanation.

that justifies the reason

Switches to 'justifies the reason', suggesting a validation or defense of the reason.

hence, the reason is clear

Uses 'hence' to introduce a logical conclusion, making the reason apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "that explains why" in a sentence?

Use "that explains why" to introduce the reason for something mentioned previously. For example: 'The store was closed; "that explains why" there were no customers'.

What are some alternatives to "that explains why"?

Alternatives include "that is why", "this explains why", or "that accounts for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "that explains why"?

While grammatically correct, "that explains why" can be redundant if the cause-and-effect relationship is already clear. Opt for a more concise expression in such cases.

What's the difference between "that explains why" and "that's why"?

"That explains why" explicitly points to a reason, whereas "that's why" is a more general way of introducing a consequence or result. They are often interchangeable, but "that explains why" is more emphatic in its causal link.