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what's the explanation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(7)

why is that

how come

can you explain why

what is the reason

what is the basis for this

what's the rationale

what's your reasoning

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

What's the explanation?

News & Media

The New York Times

So what's the explanation for the drop?

News & Media

The New York Times

And what's the explanation for Joel's severely depressed wife?

News & Media

The New York Times

"What's the explanation for this intimate connection between science and nonsense?," Conniff wonders: Scientists are of course somewhat human.

News & Media

The New Yorker

So what's the explanation?

News & Media

Huffington Post

What's the explanation for such high levels in African Americans?

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

So what's the best explanation for all their success?

News & Media

The New York Times

Apply Occam's razor: if someone brags this much, bending every ray of light back to himself, what's the simplest explanation?

News & Media

The New Yorker

So, what's the scientific explanation behind this?

News & Media

Huffington Post

What's the author's explanation?

News & Media

The New York Times - Style

What's CNBC's explanation for the sudden about-face?

News & Media

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what's the explanation", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are seeking an explanation for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what's the explanation" without specifying the subject. Instead of asking "What's the explanation?", be specific: "What's the explanation for the recent decline in sales?"

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's the explanation" functions as an interrogative expression used to solicit a reason or cause for a particular event, situation, or phenomenon. The function is to request clarification. Ludwig provides several examples that show the use of this expression in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

Less common in

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what's the explanation" serves as a direct inquiry for understanding the cause or reason behind a situation. Ludwig's analysis reveals it is grammatically sound and most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While effective, specificity in its use ensures clarity. Alternatives like "why is that?" or "can you explain why?" offer varied levels of formality. Though concise, ensuring the context is well-defined is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the reason

Replaces 'explanation' with 'reason', focusing on the cause or motive.

why is that

Offers a more direct and concise way to ask for a reason.

how come

Provides an informal alternative to inquire about the cause.

what are the reasons for this

Expands the inquiry to include multiple reasons or factors.

can you explain why

Asks for an explanation in a more polite and direct manner.

what's the cause of this

Focuses specifically on identifying the cause of a particular event or situation.

what is the basis for this

Inquires about the underlying justification or foundation.

what's the rationale

Seeks the logical or philosophical basis behind something.

what's the story behind this

Asks for a narrative account of the events leading up to something.

what's your reasoning

Focuses specifically on the reasoning process of an individual.

FAQs

How can I use "what's the explanation" in a sentence?

Use "what's the explanation" to inquire about the cause or reason behind a situation. For example, "The stock market crashed; "what's the explanation"?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what's the explanation"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "What is the reason for this?", "What is the underlying cause?", or "Could you provide the rationale?"

Which is correct, "what's the explanation" or "what is the explanation"?

Both "what's the explanation" and "what is the explanation" are grammatically correct. "What's" is a contraction of "what is", making it slightly more informal.

What can I say instead of "what's the explanation" when I am confused?

If you're confused, you can ask, "why is that?", "how come?", or "can you explain why?" to seek clarification.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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what's the explanationGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

what's the explanation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples