which explains that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which explains that' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that provides an explanation for something that has been said previously. For example: "The child was feeling sad, which explains that he had not seen his parents in weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Currently, relatives are given information which explains that the decision of the deceased remains valid after their death.

Independent

He mentioned his father's memoir, which explains that, for Arab people, politics "is the family at breakfast.

The New Yorker

Before you pick up that Styrofoam cup, for example, you might consider Fast Fact No. 1, which explains that these cups can take a million years to decompose.

The New York Times

At the start he gives us a "note on the recipes," which explains that he does not actually expect us to cook from them.

The New Yorker

Take Casper's Web site, which explains that its mattresses were created through an "obsessive" process involving "two dozen beta models" and "A/B testing".

The New Yorker

FonGames has also published a disclaimer which explains that the game is "based upon controversial news stories for the purposes of entertainment and to encourage political discussion amongst young people".

The Guardian

On a table are typewritten texts, one of which explains that after the painter, in a fit of depression, destroyed his own works and disappeared, a critic proposed turning the scene into a Conceptual installation.

The New York Times - Arts

The explanation is found in paragraph 1.2 of this document, which explains that the charts refer to all measures "introduced by the government, or changes that were announced earlier but that had not yet been implemented".

The Guardian

Largely for insurance reasons, the use of headphones and mobile devices is "strongly discouraged" by the Road Runners' code of conduct, which explains that they can decrease "your awareness of other participants around you".

The New Yorker

Bicarbonate is well correlated with F− which explains that both ions were derived from the weathering.

Applied Water Science

CDST underpins the idea of nonlinearity which explains that cause-and-effect relations are not predictably linear (Larsen-Freeman, 2007).

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which explains that" to connect ideas smoothly and logically. This improves the flow of your writing and helps readers follow your reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "which explains that" when the explanatory clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence (restrictive clause). In such cases, "that explains that" is more appropriate. Using 'which' incorrectly can make the sentence grammatically awkward and harder to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which explains that" functions as a relative clause, introducing a subordinate clause that provides an explanation or reason for the main clause. It connects ideas by offering clarification. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and widespread usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

57%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which explains that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to introduce explanatory clauses. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application across various contexts, especially in science and news media. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and ensure the explanation genuinely clarifies the preceding statement. Alternative phrases like "which clarifies that" or "which indicates that" can offer stylistic variation. Remember to use "that explains that" instead of "which explains that" for restrictive clauses to ensure grammatical accuracy. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase "which explains that" to enhance the clarity and flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which clarifies that

Focuses on making something clearer, highlighting the clarification aspect.

which indicates that

Emphasizes a sign or signal pointing to a particular conclusion.

which demonstrates that

Highlights proof or evidence supporting a claim.

which suggests that

Implies a less direct or conclusive explanation, offering a possibility.

which implies that

Focuses on what is hinted at or indirectly stated.

that elucidates

Emphasizes the act of shedding light on a topic or situation.

resulting from the fact that

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship, with the fact being the cause.

because of which

Directly states causality with a different sentence structure.

that accounts for

Explains the reasons or factors contributing to a specific outcome.

this is attributable to

Assigns the cause or origin of something to a specific factor.

FAQs

How can I use "which explains that" in a sentence?

Use "which explains that" to introduce a clause that provides a reason or clarification for something previously mentioned. For example, "The company reported lower profits, which explains that they are cutting back on expenses."

What's a formal alternative to "which explains that"?

In formal writing, you could use alternatives like "which clarifies that", or "which demonstrates that" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Is it ever incorrect to use "which explains that"?

While generally correct, overuse of "which explains that" can make writing repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using other explanatory phrases or conjunctions.

What is the difference between "which explains that" and "because"?

"Which explains that" introduces a non-essential clause providing additional information, while "because" introduces an essential clause that directly causes the preceding statement. For instance, "The game was canceled, which explains that many fans were disappointed" versus "The game was canceled because of the rain."