without a clear explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without a clear explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or decision that lacks sufficient reasoning or justification. Example: "The committee made a decision to change the policy without a clear explanation, leaving many members confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Without a clear explanation why he has refused to concede, the aides said, Mr. Gore knows his support could weaken.

The New York Times

In 2005, Woods learned that he would be transferred, without a clear explanation, to a supermax prison in Baltimore.

The New Yorker

He said he never wanted to leave the club while sat on the sidelines but was "angry" at being dropped without a clear explanation.

Independent

Without a clear explanation, the increased fee will look to consumers like just another way for the company to make money.

The New York Times

Simon Woolley, a commissioner at the EHRC, said: "Our research shows black youths are still being disproportionately targeted, and without a clear explanation as to why, many in the community will see this as racial profiling.

The Guardian

A presidential candidate who disappeared for five days but turned up without a clear explanation of his absence said Thursday he had decided to continue his run, a news agency reported.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Chuck Hagel, America's defence secretary, has postponed a planned visit to Turkey without offering a clear explanation.

The Economist

The financial aid process, in contrast to the pitch, was typically quick and vague, without even a clear explanation of how much classes cost.

Huffington Post

The same study also showed, without having a clear explanation, positive correlation between the percentage of private health expenditure in a country and the degree of antibiotic resistance, presuming in this sector fewer controls on broad-spectrum agents, the length of time of drug therapy and the volumes used.

BMC Health Services Research

Majorities do not want war without Congressional and allied support first and a clear explanation from President Bush.

The New York Times

Both GPs with an academic working career (focus group 4) as GPs without an academic working career stressed the importance of a clear explanation.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without a clear explanation", ensure the context clearly implies the need for an explanation that is currently missing. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "without a clear explanation" when the lack of explanation is obvious or unimportant to the overall message. This can make your writing seem unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without a clear explanation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action occurred or a situation exists. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing actions or decisions lacking proper justification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without a clear explanation" is a versatile expression used to indicate the absence of a readily available or satisfactory reason for something. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various writing styles. When employing this phrase, ensure that the lack of explanation is a relevant and noteworthy aspect of your message. By doing so, you can effectively convey a sense of ambiguity, concern, or criticism regarding the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexplained

This single-word alternative is more concise, replacing the entire phrase with a direct adjective.

lacking justification

Focuses on the absence of a valid reason or support for an action or decision.

without sufficient reason

Highlights the inadequacy of the provided rationale.

for no apparent reason

Emphasizes the absence of an obvious or discernible cause.

without a stated cause

Indicates that the reason was not officially declared or made known.

unsubstantiated

Highlights the lack of evidence or proof to support a claim or action.

unaccounted for

Suggests that something is missing an explanation or has not been properly tracked.

with no rationale

This phrase directly points to the absence of a logical basis or reasoning.

devoid of explanation

Emphasizes that the situation completely lacks any explanatory details.

not adequately explained

This alternative specifies that the explanation provided was incomplete or insufficient.

FAQs

How can I use "without a clear explanation" in a sentence?

Use "without a clear explanation" to describe situations where a reason or justification is expected but missing. For example: "The policy was changed "without a clear explanation"."

What are some alternatives to "without a clear explanation"?

Alternatives include "unexplained", "lacking justification", or "without sufficient reason" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "with no clear explanation" or "without a clear explanation"?

Both "with no clear explanation" and "without a clear explanation" are grammatically correct and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

What does it mean when something happens "without a clear explanation"?

It means that the reason or cause for the event is not readily apparent or has not been adequately communicated. It suggests a lack of transparency or understanding surrounding the event.