Meaning & use
explanation
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A statement or piece of writing that makes something clear or easy to understand.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an explanation', 'two explanations'. Often followed by 'of' or 'for'.
Patterns
- an explanation of something
- an explanation for something
- give someone an explanation
The teacher gave a clear explanation of the new grammar rule.
I didn't understand the instructions, so I asked for an explanation.
Her explanation for being late was that the bus had broken down.
nouncountable
A reason or justification given for behavior or an event, often to defend it.
Grammar: Countable. Common in phrases like 'a reasonable explanation' or 'no explanation'.
Patterns
- a possible explanation for something
- offer an explanation
- accept someone's explanation
There is no simple explanation for the sudden rise in prices.
He offered no explanation for his absence.
Scientists are still searching for an explanation of the strange signal.
noununcountable
The act or process of explaining something.
Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the activity in general: 'This needs careful explanation.'
Patterns
- need explanation
- be capable of explanation
- defy explanation
The diagram is simple and needs no further explanation.
Some of the results defy explanation.
The poem is open to many different explanations.
Word forms
| plural | explanations |
|---|
Common combinations
- a clear explanation
- She gave a clear explanation of how the machine works.
- a detailed explanation
- The report includes a detailed explanation of the method.
- offer an explanation
- The company refused to offer an explanation for the delay.
- a possible explanation
- One possible explanation is that the data was recorded incorrectly.
- explanation for something
- There is no explanation for the missing files.
- a simple explanation
- Most things have a simple explanation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reason
- Focuses on the cause or purpose; an explanation is the statement that makes something clear.
- interpretation
- Suggests a particular way of understanding something, often subjective.
- clarification
- Used when something was unclear and is made clearer, often briefly.
- account
- A formal description or report of events; often interchangeable but more narrative.
Word family
- explain verb
- To make something clear or easy to understand.
- explanatory adjective
- Intended to explain something, as in 'explanatory notes'.
- explicable adjective
- Able to be explained or understood.
Commonly confused: explanation or explanation?
explanation vs explanation
Do not confuse with 'explaination', which is a common misspelling. The correct spelling has no 'i' after 'expla'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'explanation' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Explanation of' is the most natural preposition when talking about the thing being explained. 'Explanation about' is sometimes heard but is less standard; 'for' is used for reasons, not for the subject matter; 'on' is possible in some formal contexts but less common than 'of'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “explanation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.