Collocations for "explanation"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "explanation" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
explanation
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a [clear, satisfactory, fair, reasonable, straight, brief] explanation
- a [long-winded, lengthy, confusing, long] explanation
- that is a [horrible, terrible] explanation
- an explanation of the [events, concept, poem, situation, problem]
- [provide, write, give] an explanation
- the [government, public, parent] is demanding an explanation
- no explanation was [offered, forthcoming]
- think I deserve at least an explanation
- do you have an explanation for this?
- give an explanation as to [how, why, where, what]
- give me an explanation in [simple, layman] terms
- send a word of explanation
- couldn't offer an explanation (as to how)
- struggling to [find, offer, come up with] an explanation
- find an explanation for the [mystery, anomaly, loss]
- became clear after an explanation
'explanation' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
apology
- brief
- buy
- cloak
- confuse
- confusing
- detailed
- drift
- elaborate
- forthcoming
- head
- involved
- jargon
- launch
- lengthy
- meaningless
- murky
- owe
- partly
- plausible
- provide
- rambling
- rational
- redundant
- removed
- roundabout
- satisfactory
- satisfied
- sensible
- shady
- simple
- somewhat
- straightforward
- suspect
- tease
- thorough
- unbelievable
- understandable
- vague
- water
- windy