that may be the explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that may be the explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting a possible reason or justification for something that has occurred or been observed. Example: "After reviewing the data, I believe that may be the explanation for the unexpected results we encountered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And that may be the explanation: big brands now dominate.

The New York Times

And that may be the explanation: the Olsen sisters don't seem to acknowledge the conventional barriers to success, beginning with their famous name.

The New York Times

Prenylated flavonoids are known to possess antimicrobial activity [36, 37] and that may be the explanation of this observation.

Chemistry Central Journal

That may be the explanation for GOP behavior right there: that Republicans are so committed to their agenda that they will tolerate a potentially unstable and dangerous president in order to enact it.

HuffPost

Local historian Brian Lewis believes that may be the explanation for the name that locals gave to the bridge during the late 19th or early 20th century: "[the underpass] would function in the same way as any 'monkey run', where you paraded up and down to find a boyfriend or girlfriend".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's the last of these explanations that may be the most compelling, that is, question ordering and context.

The Washington Post

That may be the best explanation for the growing popularity of the Nintendo Wii, the new video game system that has players jumping, punching and swinging, giving them an aerobic workout right in front of their television sets.

The New York Times - Tech

In a rewarding new biography, "Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations" (Viking; $27.95), Craig Nelson argues that Paine soaked up the ideas of the Enlightenment, especially Newtonian rationalism, during the years he spent in London, and that may be the best explanation anyone ever gets.

The New Yorker

It's a truism to say that the story as a form is devoted to loneliness and alienation — "people in some sort of contest with the prevailing world," as Doctorow puts it here — but that may be the best explanation for why these stories so often fail.

The New York Times - Books

That may be the literal explanation of what's happening in the endlessly complicated world of Metal Gear Solid, and it does help to fill in at least some of the plot holes we've accumulated over the years.

Forbes

That may be the most plausible explanation, as unusual as it sounds.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that may be the explanation" when you want to offer a tentative reason for something, indicating that it's a possible but not definite explanation. Employ it judiciously to suggest understanding without asserting absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "that may be the explanation" when stronger evidence warrants a more definitive statement. Overusing it can weaken your argument and make your reasoning seem indecisive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that may be the explanation" functions as an explanatory discourse marker. It introduces a potential reason or justification for a phenomenon or situation, indicating a tentative explanation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that may be the explanation" serves as an explanatory phrase used to suggest a possible but not definitive reason or justification for something. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While it's prevalent in news and scientific sources, its register remains relatively neutral, suitable for diverse applications. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and to acknowledge the possibility of alternative explanations. Related phrases like "that could be the reason" or "that might clarify things" offer similar ways to convey tentativeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could be the reason

Replaces "explanation" with "reason", focusing on a cause-and-effect relationship.

that might clarify things

Shifts from explanation to clarification, implying resolution of confusion.

that could account for it

Replaces "explanation" with "account for", emphasizing the ability to explain something.

that offers a possible rationale

Substitutes "explanation" with "rationale", suggesting a logical basis.

that provides a potential answer

Replaces "explanation" with "answer", focusing on a solution to a question.

that suggests a likely cause

Emphasizes the causal aspect, replacing "explanation" with "cause".

that indicates a plausible motive

Focuses on intention or reason behind an action or decision.

that hints at a possible solution

Highlights the problem-solving aspect, suggesting a direction toward resolution.

it could stem from that

Expresses a possibility of origin or source, using "stem from" instead of directly explaining.

it may all come down to that

Suggests that a particular factor is the ultimate determining element.

FAQs

How can I use "that may be the explanation" in a sentence?

Use "that may be the explanation" to suggest a possible reason for something, as in, "The decline in sales "that may be the explanation" for the company's restructuring."

What phrases are similar to "that may be the explanation"?

Similar phrases include "that could be the reason", "that might clarify things", or "that could account for it", all suggesting a potential cause or understanding.

Is it better to use "that may be the explanation" or "that is the explanation"?

Use "that may be the explanation" when you're unsure and suggesting a possibility. Use "that is the explanation" when you're confident and stating a fact.

What is the difference between "that may be the explanation" and "that is probably the explanation"?

"That may be the explanation" indicates a possibility with some uncertainty, while "that is probably the explanation" suggests a higher degree of likelihood but still stops short of certainty.