we cannot explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is beyond understanding or cannot be clarified. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we cannot explain the sudden changes in the data patterns we observed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot explain him.

The Guardian - Books

"And we cannot explain it all".

The New York Times

Some cases, such as mushrooms, says Breslin, we cannot explain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet, confidentiality means we cannot explain our actions in detail.

The Guardian - Opinion

We cannot explain the sudden negative attention, and would rather not speculate about its motives.

The Washington Post

"We cannot explain why someone would want to murder flamingos," a zoo spokeswoman said.

The New York Times

"We cannot explain what we are going through," said another of Mr. Khan's brothers, Irfan Khan.

The New York Times

We are seeing people depressed in ways that we cannot explain, even in a scientific way".

The New York Times

(No, we cannot explain press agents. It would be too cruel.

The New York Times

"We cannot explain or even understand what happened in Alabama," they wrote.

The New Yorker

Assuming CRRA utility, we cannot explain the existence of any form of guarantees.

Journal of Banking & Finance

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot explain", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is unexplainable. Avoid vagueness by specifying the subject or phenomenon that lacks an explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot explain" when a simpler phrase like "we don't know" or "we are unsure" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot explain" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to provide a reason or cause for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to acknowledge a lack of understanding or clarification. Examples in Ludwig showcase its usage in scientific, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we cannot explain" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of understanding or inability to provide a reason for something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and scientific writing. While alternatives exist, "we cannot explain" remains a clear and direct way to acknowledge the limits of current knowledge. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is unexplainable and avoid overuse in place of simpler, more direct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to explain

Replaces "cannot" with "are unable to", offering a slightly more formal tone.

we can't account for

Focuses on the inability to provide a satisfactory reason or justification.

we are at a loss to explain

Emphasizes the feeling of being perplexed and unable to find an explanation.

we have no explanation for

Directly states the absence of an explanation.

it defies explanation

Shifts the focus to the subject being inherently unexplainable.

we fail to comprehend

Highlights a lack of understanding, implying an inability to explain as a consequence.

the reason eludes us

Indicates that the explanation is unknown or cannot be grasped.

we don't understand why

Simplifies the statement to a lack of understanding of the cause.

we are baffled by

Expresses confusion and the inability to understand or explain something.

we are stumped by

Indicates that something is a difficult problem that they cannot solve or explain.

FAQs

How can I use "we cannot explain" in a sentence?

Use "we cannot explain" to express an inability to provide a reason or understanding for something. For example, "We cannot explain why the data shows this anomaly."

What can I say instead of "we cannot explain"?

You can use alternatives like "we are unable to explain", "we can't account for", or "we have no explanation for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we cannot explain" or "we cannot understand"?

The best choice depends on the context. "We cannot explain" suggests an inability to provide a reason, while "we cannot understand" suggests a lack of comprehension. Use "we cannot explain" when the focus is on providing an explanation. For example, "we cannot explain the market's reaction."

What's the difference between "we cannot explain" and "it is inexplicable"?

"We cannot explain" indicates our inability to clarify something, whereas "it is inexplicable" suggests the matter is inherently impossible to explain. For example, "The sudden disappearance of the funds is inexplicable", versus "we cannot explain where the funds went."