this accounts for

USAGE SUMMARY

"this accounts for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and it is typically used when explaining why something is a certain way.
For example, "This accounts for why the parking lot is so full today - it's the first nice day of spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All this accounts for just 165 students.

Independent

"This accounts for a lot.

The Guardian - Books

This accounts for the late discovery.

The Guardian - Books

This accounts for our perfect survival rate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps this accounts for his empathy.

The New York Times - Arts

This accounts for their different isotype selectivity.

Journal of Molecular Biology

This accounts for the prevalence of lone wolves.

The Guardian

This accounts for roughly a quarter of that target.

The Guardian - Travel

This accounts for the surprising force of her pictures.

The New Yorker

This accounts for the savings glut identified by Mr. Bernanke.

The New York Times

This accounts for 10% of all payments made by individuals.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this accounts for", ensure the connection between the cause and effect is clear and logical. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating both elements.

Common error

Avoid using "this accounts for" without a clear antecedent. Ensure that "this" refers to a specific and easily identifiable element within the preceding context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this accounts for" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding statement or situation to its explanation or cause. It introduces a reason or justification for something, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this accounts for" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that functions as a causal connector, offering an explanation or reason for a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, ensuring a clear and specific reference for "this" is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "this explains" and "this is due to" can be used to add nuance to your writing. Remember to maintain clarity and logical flow when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this explains

Emphasizes the act of clarifying or making something understandable.

this is the reason why

Directly states the cause-and-effect relationship, adding emphasis.

this is attributable to

Formal way of indicating that something is caused or created by something else.

this is due to

Highlights the cause or origin of a particular situation.

this results from

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

this stems from

Implies that something originates or develops from a particular source.

this arises from

Suggests that something emerges or comes into existence as a result of something else.

this is a consequence of

Highlights the result or effect of a preceding event or action.

this can be attributed to

Suggests that something can be regarded as being caused by someone or something.

the explanation for this is

Specifically points towards an explanation, often used when introducing a more detailed account.

FAQs

How can I use "this accounts for" in a sentence?

Use "this accounts for" to explain the reason or cause of something. For example, "The increase in sales this quarter accounts for the company's overall growth."

What are some alternatives to using "this accounts for"?

You can use alternatives like "this explains", "this is due to", or "this results from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "accounts for this" instead of "this accounts for"?

No, the standard and grammatically correct order is "this accounts for". Reversing the order changes the meaning and is not typically used.

What's the difference between "this accounts for" and "this is because"?

"This accounts for" emphasizes the explanatory nature of the statement, while "this is because" directly introduces the reason or cause. Both are used to provide explanations, but the nuance differs slightly.