this might explain why

USAGE SUMMARY

"this might explain why" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are exploring the reasons behind a certain phenomenon and want to express that further evidence or explanation may be required to properly explain it. For example: "The average temperature on the planet has been increasing steadily over the past decade. This might explain why we have seen a decrease in certain species of plants and animals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This might explain why apologies foster forgiveness.

University of California, Berkeley

(This might explain why he's still a bachelor).

The New York Times

This might explain why he has jumped into the race.

The New Yorker

This might explain why potassium acts more efficiently as promoter already at low promoter levels.

Catalysis Today

This might explain why females, the smaller sex, lost more heat than males in the experiment.

Physiology & Behavior

This might explain why larger IBP isoforms have higher 'antifreeze' activity.

Cryobiology

This might explain why the propagation of cracks into the whole multilayer coating is governed by the interfaces.

Surface and Coatings Technology

This might explain why young, poor boys have particular trouble in school.

The New York Times

This might explain why India's winter rains were poor this year; but May delivered a drenching.

The Economist

This might explain why the F.B.I. has not been able to easily recover the additional Bitcoins.

The New York Times

This might explain why no animal glue was identified in these samples.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this might explain why", ensure the statement preceding it provides sufficient context for the explanation to be relevant. This maintains clarity and logical flow for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "this might explain why" as a definitive answer to multifaceted problems. Acknowledge that it offers a potential, but not necessarily complete, explanation. Always consider additional contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "this might explain why" is to act as a causal connector, linking a preceding statement or observation with a potential explanation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples, where the phrase introduces a possible cause or reason for a given phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this might explain why" is a versatile causal connector used to introduce potential explanations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, especially science and news. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of its tentative nature and avoid overstating explanations for complex issues. When seeking variety, alternatives like "this could be the reason why" or "this may shed light on why" offer nuanced options. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can use "this might explain why" effectively to enhance clarity and logical flow in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this could be the reason why

Substitutes "might explain" with "could be the reason", offering a slightly more direct causal link.

this may shed light on why

Replaces "explain" with "shed light on", implying a clarification rather than a complete explanation.

this potentially clarifies why

Uses "potentially clarifies" instead of "might explain", indicating a possibility of clarification.

a possible explanation for this is

Restructures the sentence to start with the explanation, emphasizing the potential reason.

this offers a possible rationale for

Replaces "explain why" with "offers a possible rationale for", introducing a formal justification.

one possible reason for this is

Highlights the "reason" rather than the explanation itself.

this hints at a reason for

Suggests an indirect indication of a reason rather than a direct explanation.

the cause of this may be

Focuses on the "cause" as a potential explanation.

this suggests a potential cause

Highlights a potential underlying "cause".

this is potentially attributable to

Indicates that something is potentially caused or influenced by a specific factor.

FAQs

How can I use "this might explain why" in a sentence?

Use "this might explain why" to introduce a possible reason or cause for a previous statement or observation. For example: "The plant is wilting; this might explain why it hasn't been watered recently."

What are some alternatives to "this might explain why"?

Alternatives include "this could be the reason why", "this may shed light on why", or "a possible explanation for this is", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "this might explain why" formal or informal?

"This might explain why" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you may prefer a more sophisticated phrase like "this offers a possible rationale for".

What's the difference between "this might explain why" and "this explains why"?

"This might explain why" indicates a possibility or a tentative explanation, while "this explains why" suggests a more definitive and certain explanation. The former is less assertive than the latter.