Collocations for explanation - noun
ADJ.
convincing, credible, good, likely, logical, natural, obvious, plausible, probable, rational
The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed.
The most likely explanation is that his plane was delayed.
implausible, inadequate, unlikely | acceptable, adequate, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient | no apparent
There was no apparent explanation for the attack.
There was no apparent explanation for the attack.
clear, coherent | complete, comprehensive, detailed, full | partial | complex, complicated | easy, simple | innocent, prosaic
There''s sure to be a perfectly innocent explanation for all this - though I admit it looks bizarre.
There''s sure to be a perfectly innocent explanation for all this - though I admit it looks bizarre.
convenient | accepted, traditional
There is no generally accepted explanation of this practice.
There is no generally accepted explanation of this practice.
official | possible
correct, real, true | brief |
correct, real, true | brief |
lengthy, long | verbal | general | common
the common explanations for hooliganism
the common explanations for hooliganism
only, sole
It''s the only explanation that makes any kind of sense.
It''s the only explanation that makes any kind of sense.
causal
The causal explanation must be that old age causes poverty, not that poverty causes people to be old.
The causal explanation must be that old age causes poverty, not that poverty causes people to be old.
ad hoc, post hoc
post hoc (= after the event) explanations of historical changes that would have made no sense to anyone living at the time
post hoc (= after the event) explanations of historical changes that would have made no sense to anyone living at the time
cultural, historical, political, psychological, scientific, sociological, technical, theoretical
VERB + EXPLANATION
have
I had no explanation for her strange behaviour.
I had no explanation for her strange behaviour.
give (sb), offer (sb), provide (sb with)
He only offered a partial explanation for his lateness.
He only offered a partial explanation for his lateness.
enter into, go into, launch into
She launched into a detailed explanation of every aspect of her work.
She launched into a detailed explanation of every aspect of her work.
advance, propose, put forward
one explanation advanced by Marxist historians
one explanation advanced by Marxist historians
call for, need, require
An explanation is clearly called for.
An explanation is clearly called for.
look for, seek | find, think of
I can think of one possible explanation for her behaviour.
I can think of one possible explanation for her behaviour.
ask for, demand
She wrote to the company demanding an explanation.
She wrote to the company demanding an explanation.
wait for | deserve, merit
I suppose you deserve an explanation.
I suppose you deserve an explanation.
owe sb
I think you owe me an explanation.
I think you owe me an explanation.
accept | defy
Her success has been so remarkable as to defy explanation.
Her success has been so remarkable as to defy explanation.
EXPLANATION + VERB
lie
The simplest explanation for his achievements lies in his greater ability and superiority over his contemporaries at university.
The simplest explanation for his achievements lies in his greater ability and superiority over his contemporaries at university.
emerge, occur to sb, present itself, suggest itself
No single clear explanation emerged from the experiments. | A more credible explanation now occurred to her. | Another quite plausible explanation presented itself.
No single clear explanation emerged from the experiments. | A more credible explanation now occurred to her. | Another quite plausible explanation presented itself.
PREP.
in ~
‘I''ve worked with them before, you see,’ he added, in explanation.
‘I''ve worked with them before, you see,’ he added, in explanation.
without ~
She left suddenly and without explanation.
She left suddenly and without explanation.
~ about
He entered into a technical explanation about software and programming.
He entered into a technical explanation about software and programming.
~ as to
He provided no explanation as to why he was late.
He provided no explanation as to why he was late.
~ for
There is probably some perfectly logical explanation for their behaviour.
There is probably some perfectly logical explanation for their behaviour.
~ from
We are still waiting for a full explanation from the teacher concerned.
We are still waiting for a full explanation from the teacher concerned.
PHRASES
an attempt at explanation
The men left quickly with no attempt at explanation.
The men left quickly with no attempt at explanation.
by way of explanation
‘I had to see you, ’ he said, by way of explanation.
‘I had to see you, ’ he said, by way of explanation.