explanation - Master This Word

explanation Word Meanings

• a statement that makes something clear
• the act of explaining something
• a reason or justification for something

explanation Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• I need an explanation for this problem.
• Her explanation was very clear.
• Can you give me an explanation?
• The teacher gave us an explanation of the lesson.
• His explanation helped me understand better.

explanation Word Etymology

ex-planare = out + planare (to make level or flat) → Latin → Old French → English. Imagine unrolling a map to explain a route clearly, laying everything flat.

English Brain Route

I set my finger to the page and move the word along the line, letting curiosity guide the pace. I push my attention forward and watch the idea shift as I place it in a familiar scene. The effort feels calm but real, a small pull here as I adjust my focus. Then the word stops being just a noun and starts hinting at the moment when someone makes something clear to others.

Real Context

An explanation is a statement that makes something clear, the act of explaining, or a reason or justification for something. It helps someone understand how a process works, why a rule applies, or what a term means. Good explanations are clear, logical, and supported by examples or evidence. They often progress from general ideas to specifics, and invite questions to bridge gaps in understanding. The word also covers the act of explaining itself, as in a teacher providing an explanation to a student or a scientist offering a clear explanation of a phenomenon. The etymology links to ex-planare, meaning to lay out or flatten, like unrolling information to reveal it clearly.

Usage Reminders

• Use explanation after a question word or a verb like explain; connect ideas with signs like for example, therefore, or in particular; avoid vague generalities
• Give a concrete step or example to support your explanation
• Prefer nouns that express the act or the result (explanation, justification) over vague phrases
• Match the level of detail to your audience and purpose
• Check whether your explanation answers who, what, why, and how

Common Misconceptions

• Explanation and justification are the same thing; a reason is the same as an explanation.
• An explanation must always be long; a brief answer cannot be a good explanation.
• Explaining means giving the definition of a term only, with no steps or examples.
• If you explain something once, the job is done; explanations can require refinement.
• A good explanation is only for complex topics; simple ideas don’t need one.

Thinking Differences

Explain to a native English speaker learning English: English explanations emphasize logical order and examples; avoid overlong definitions and rely on signposting (first, next, therefore) to guide understanding.

Learning Tips

• Practice outlining explanations in 4 parts: claim, reason, example, conclusion
• Use transition signals (first, next, therefore) to guide readers/listeners
• Include at least one concrete example for every major point
• Check for clarity: replace vague words with precise terms
• Ask someone to summarize your explanation in one sentence
• Review explanations for any logical gaps or leaps

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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