without explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"without explanation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that there was no clear justification or elucidation on a certain topic. For example: "The professor's refusal to allow a retake of the midterm exam came without explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is given without explanation.

The Guardian - Books

The case was dismissed, without explanation.

The New Yorker

"Things were done without explanation," he said.

The New York Times

And they departed without explanation, or apology.

The New York Times

More boxes followed, also without explanation.

The New Yorker

The smoke itself subsided without explanation.

The Economist

He was laid off without explanation.

The New Yorker

(The production resumed shortly after without explanation).

The New York Times

Then their partnership shattered, also without explanation.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He canceled both appearances without explanation.

The New York Times

Then it said no, without explanation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without explanation", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking explanation. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "without explanation" excessively in long, convoluted sentences. Simplify the sentence structure to improve readability and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without explanation" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action occurred or a state existed. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without explanation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the absence of a provided reason or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly news, academic writing, and general communication. While alternatives like "unexplained" or "inexplicably" exist, "without explanation" offers a clear and direct way to convey a lack of clarity or reason. When employing this phrase, ensure the context sufficiently identifies what lacks explanation to maintain clarity and impact. Overusing it in complex sentences should be avoided to enhance readability. This analysis, drawing from numerous real-world examples, highlights its versatility and consistent application across diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexplained

Single-word adjective that directly describes something lacking an explanation; more concise.

for no apparent reason

Emphasizes the lack of an obvious or discernible cause; more conversational.

without a stated reason

Highlights the absence of an explicit justification; slightly more formal.

devoid of rationale

More formal and emphasizes the complete absence of logical reasoning.

lacking justification

Focuses on the absence of a valid reason or excuse.

unaccountably

Adverb that describes an action done without being able to explain it.

inexplicably

Describes something that cannot be explained or understood.

for reasons unknown

Highlights that the reasons are not known or have not been revealed.

without cause

Emphasizes the absence of any underlying cause or motive.

arbitrarily

Suggests a decision made randomly or without a systematic basis.

FAQs

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

You can use "without explanation" to indicate that something happened or was done without any reason being provided. For instance, "The meeting was canceled "without explanation"."

What are some alternatives to "without explanation"?

Alternatives include "unexplained", "for no apparent reason", or "inexplicably". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "unexplained" or "without explanation"?

Both "unexplained" and "without explanation" are valid, but "unexplained" is a single-word adjective, while "without explanation" is a prepositional phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure and desired emphasis.

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

It means that no reason or justification was given for the event. The lack of explanation might be intentional or due to an oversight.