which would explain

USAGE SUMMARY

"which would explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing a new explanation or idea that has been established earlier in the sentence or conversation. For example: "The outcome was unexpected, which would explain why he looked so surprised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which would explain the beer.

The Washington Post

Which would explain the Saturday daytime repeat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Which would explain why the official murder investigation went nowhere.

The Guardian

Re-absorption plays a much smaller role for F760, which would explain its decrease.

Nature

Which would explain the serious hardware, including long-range missiles, at Hizbullah's disposal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each in their own way was looking for one guiding principle which would explain everything.

The Guardian - Opinion

They wanted to give me a presentation which would explain all the things I'd seen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or even that make the user come back feeling happier, which would explain that motivation.

The Guardian - Tech

Her Armenian name may denote Armenian training, which would explain that sound.

Independent

The issues Pew was asking about were to some extent political, which would explain differing partisan views.

The Washington Post

Testosterone, of course, is linked to sexual excitement, which would explain the overheated tone of those Barclays emails.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which would explain" to smoothly introduce a logical explanation following a statement, ensuring a clear connection between the information and its consequence.

Common error

Avoid placing "which would explain" too far from the element it clarifies, as this can create confusion. Keep the explanatory phrase close to the statement it's meant to elucidate for maximum clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which would explain" functions as a connective phrase, specifically a causal connector. It serves to link a preceding statement with an explanation or a reason. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to introduce an explanation for something mentioned earlier in the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which would explain" is a frequently used causal connector that introduces a logical explanation or reason for a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific domains, its usage suggests a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance writing, ensure the phrase closely follows the information it clarifies and consider alternatives like "that clarifies" or "this sheds light on" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that clarifies

Directly indicates clarification with a more succinct expression.

that elucidates

Offers a more formal and emphatic way to highlight the explanatory nature.

that accounts for

Emphasizes a comprehensive explanation, often used in more formal contexts.

this clarifies why

Adds directness by explicitly stating the intent to clarify the reason.

this sheds light on

Emphasizes revealing or uncovering something previously unclear.

this provides insight into

Focuses on offering a deeper understanding or perspective.

this suggests that

Presents a possible explanation as an implication or inference.

this indicates that

Offers a subtle suggestion of a cause, showing a sign or symptom.

this demonstrates that

Suggests a more evidentiary explanation, offering solid proof.

that resolves

Focuses on how the new information ends the need for answers.

FAQs

How can I use "which would explain" in a sentence?

Use "which would explain" to introduce an explanation or a reason that clarifies a previous statement. For instance, "The team's success was unexpected, "which would explain" the manager's surprise".

What are some alternatives to "which would explain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that clarifies", "that accounts for", or "this sheds light on", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to use "which explains" or "which would explain"?

Both "which explains" and ""which would explain"" are grammatically correct. "Which explains" suggests a direct, immediate explanation, while ""which would explain"" implies a more conditional or hypothetical explanation.

What's the difference between "which explains" and "which would explain"?

"Which explains" is used for stating a fact or a direct consequence. "Which would explain" suggests a hypothetical reason or possible explanation, often implying a degree of speculation or conditionality.