we cannot explain why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot explain why" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or phenomenon for which there is no clear reason or justification. Example: "Despite extensive research, we cannot explain why the results of the experiment were inconsistent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

We cannot explain why P. variotii NBRC 109023 can degrade a high concentration of formaldehyde based on the results obtained.

AMB Express

We cannot explain why the Self + course group showed the lowest reliability for Local myalgia and Myofascial pain with referral.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

(5) Without positing knowledge of individual objects we cannot explain why certain properties and relations tend to cohere.

SEP

We thus seek an advantage to sexual reproduction that operates very rapidly, or we cannot explain why genetic exchange among individuals is so common.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

We cannot explain why mothers with low socioeconomic status more often gave birth to a child around March while mothers of high socioeconomic status more often gave birth to a child between September and December.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Self-interest, he maintains, cannot explain why we approve what we do, and in particular, why we identify with those of benevolent character.

SEP

Statistical mechanics can explain why we never observe such a possibility, whereas the quantum-objects-as-individuals view cannot explain why we never observe non-symmetric states and hence it is deficient in this regard (Teller 1998).

SEP

It's true that rational intuitionism cannot explain why we are a priori justified in accepting the proposition that we are not now in the midst of a persistent coherent dream or in accepting that there are no miracles, but that is not a problem.

SEP

Nonetheless, a simple decoupling between ongoing sexual selection and dichromatism predicts a lack of correlation between R z:A and dichromatism level, but cannot explain why we observe a significant negative correlation (Fig.  1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It is important to note however that lack of time to remove deleterious gene deactivation mutations cannot explain why we find that clonal pathogens tend to lose even more genes than many nonclonal species that are much more sequence diverged than they are.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot explain why", ensure the context clearly indicates what "we" refers to (e.g., researchers, experts, etc.). This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot explain why" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or alternative phrasings like "the cause remains unknown" or "it is difficult to explain why" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot explain why" functions as an epistemic statement, indicating a limitation in knowledge or understanding. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it commonly introduces a point where further explanation is lacking, often in scientific or analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

85%

News & Media

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we cannot explain why" is a versatile expression used to acknowledge a lack of understanding or an inability to provide a clear reason for a phenomenon. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in scientific and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is widely accepted, varying your language with alternatives can enhance your writing's readability. Keep in mind that while "we cannot explain why" is suitable for professional contexts, it may be replaced by something more casual for general purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to explain why

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

it is difficult to explain why

Emphasizes the difficulty in providing an explanation.

the reason why is unclear

Shifts the focus to the lack of clarity surrounding the reason.

we do not understand why

Focuses on the lack of understanding, rather than the inability to explain.

the cause remains unknown

Highlights the unknown nature of the cause.

it's inexplicable why

Uses "inexplicable" to convey the impossibility of explaining.

there's no explanation for why

Indicates a complete absence of explanation.

why this happened is a mystery

Frames the situation as a mystery, emphasizing the unknown aspects.

we haven't been able to determine why

Highlights the lack of success in finding a reason.

the rationale is not apparent

Suggests that the underlying rationale or logic is not readily visible or understandable.

FAQs

What does "we cannot explain why" mean?

The phrase "we cannot explain why" indicates a lack of understanding or an inability to provide a reason for a particular phenomenon or situation. It's often used when discussing complex issues where the underlying cause is unknown or unclear.

How to use "we cannot explain why" in a sentence?

You can use "we cannot explain why" to introduce a statement of incomprehension after presenting a fact or observation. For example, "The experiment yielded unexpected results; "we cannot explain why" the control group showed a significant change."

What are some alternatives to "we cannot explain why"?

Alternatives include "it is difficult to explain why", "the reason why is unclear", or "the cause remains unknown". These options offer different shades of meaning while conveying a similar lack of understanding.

Is it better to say "we cannot explain why" or "we don't know why"?

"We cannot explain why" is generally more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing. "We don't know why" is more informal and appropriate for casual conversation. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.