what explains this

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a grammatically correct part of a sentence in Written English.
You could use it when asking for an explanation of something. Example: What explains this sudden drop in sales?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What explains this disconnect?

The Economist

What explains this inertia?

The New York Times

What explains this divergence?

The New York Times

What explains this oddity?

The New York Times

What explains this pattern?

The New York Times

What explains this?

The New York Times

So what explains this?

The New York Times

What explains this result?

The New Yorker

What explains this demographic shift?

The New York Times

So what explains this slide?

The New York Times

So, what explains this rule?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what explains this" to introduce a question when you've presented a surprising, contradictory, or unexpected fact or observation.

Common error

Avoid using "what explains this" when you simply need to state an explanation or give a command. It's specifically for posing a question when seeking to understand a specific scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what explains this" serves as an interrogative phrase, specifically used to solicit explanations for a particular situation, observation, or result. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct in written English and examples show this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what explains this" is a versatile and grammatically correct interrogative used to prompt explanations for various phenomena. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability across different contexts. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and scientific sources, marking it as a common expression for seeking understanding. While alternatives like "why is this the case" or "what accounts for this" exist, "what explains this" is a direct and effective way to initiate a discussion or investigation into underlying causes or reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the reason for this

This alternative directly asks for the reason behind something, emphasizing a specific cause.

why is this the case

This alternative focuses on the situation itself, seeking an explanation for why it exists.

what are the causes of this

This alternative broadens the scope to include multiple potential causes rather than a single explanation.

what accounts for this

This alternative is slightly more formal, asking what factors contribute to or explain the situation.

how can this be explained

This alternative focuses on the process of explaining, seeking a method or reason for understanding the situation.

what is the explanation for this

A more formal and direct request for an explanation.

what factors contribute to this

This focuses on identifying the contributing elements rather than a single cause.

what is the basis for this

Asks for the underlying foundation or justification for the situation.

what's the rationale behind this

This alternative seeks the logical or philosophical justification for something.

what underpins this

This alternative, slightly more figurative, asks about the fundamental support or basis for something.

FAQs

How can I use "what explains this" in a sentence?

The phrase "what explains this" is used to inquire about the reasons or causes behind a particular phenomenon. For example, "Sales have dropped significantly this quarter; "what explains this"?"

What are some alternatives to "what explains this"?

Alternatives include phrases like "why is this the case", "what accounts for this", or "what is the reason for this". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "what explains this" formal or informal?

"What explains this" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "what factors contribute to this" might be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "what explains this" and "how can this be explained"?

While both phrases seek an explanation, "what explains this" directly asks for the cause or reason, whereas "how can this be explained" focuses on the process or method of understanding something.