| 释义 |
explanationexplanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/ ●●● S3 W2 noun verbs► have an explanation Does the hospital have any explanation for why he died? ► give an explanation The police gave no explanation for their actions. ► provide/offer an explanation The theory may provide an explanation for the origins of the universe. ► find an explanation (also think of an explanation, come up with an explanation) Scientists have been unable to find an explanation for this phenomenon. ► ask for an explanation (also demand an explanation) When I asked for an explanation, the people at the office said they didn’t know. Parents are demanding an explanation from the school. ► owe (somebody) an explanation I think you owe me some kind of explanation. ► accept an explanation (=believe that it is true or correct) The court accepted her explanation. ► need/require an explanation We believe the abrupt change in policy requires an explanation. ► defy explanation (=not be able to find an explanation) The incident has defied scientific explanation. ► an explanation lies in something (=is related to something) The explanation lies in the structure of atoms. adjectives► a possible explanation Can anyone think of a possible explanation for why this is happening? ► a simple explanation I’m sure there’s a simple explanation for why she’s not here. ► the most likely/probable explanation (=one that is probably true) The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus. ► the only explanation (=the only possible one) He must not have seen you – that’s the only explanation. ► an alternative/different explanation The data led us to consider an alternative explanation. ► an obvious explanation (=one that is easy to see or notice) There is no obvious explanation for his strange behavior. ► a logical/rational explanation (=one that is based on facts) Physics finally gave us a rational explanation for the atom’s strange behavior. ► a scientific explanation It can’t be a ghost – there must be some scientific explanation. ► a plausible/reasonable/good explanation (=one that is easy to believe) Pilot error is the most plausible explanation for the crash. ► a satisfactory/adequate explanation (=one that explains something completely) A bank must offer an adequate explanation of all its charges. ► a convincing/credible explanation (=one that you can believe is true) The author fails to provide a convincing explanation for the main character’s motives. ► a detailed explanation She gave us a long detailed explanation of where she’d been. ► further explanation (=additional reasons) He gave no further explanation for leaving, and she did not ask for any. THESAURUScause► reason the cause or fact that explains why something has happened or happens, or why someone has done something: “Why did you tell him?” “Oh, I had my reasons (=had a secret reason for doing it).” She sold the house for reasons best known to herself, (=for reasons other people do not understand). ► explanation a reason for why something happened or why you did something, especially one in which you give details: Is there any explanation for his behavior? ► excuse a reason that you give for why you did something bad: I hope she has a good excuse for being late again. ► motive a reason that makes someone do something, especially something bad: The police have found no motive for the attack. ► grounds a good reason, based on laws or rules, for doing, believing, or saying something. Used in legal or official language: Abusive behavior is grounds for divorce. ► justification a good reason that explains why someone has done something bad: The justification for the war was the fear that the enemy had nuclear weapons. ► rationale formal the reasons and ideas on which a decision, plan, etc. is based: What is the rationale for restricting the role of women in the military? ► pretext a false reason that you give for doing something, because you want to hide the real reason: He said he was sick, but it was just a pretext to get her to come visit him. 1[countable, uncountable] the reasons you give for why something happened or why you did something: Did he at least have a good explanation?explanation for/of There was no satisfactory explanation for the attack. I think you owe him an explanation.without explanation The concert was cancelled without explanation.► see thesaurus at reason12[countable] a statement or piece of writing that describes how something works or makes something easier to understand: The ability to give clear explanations is the most important quality of a teacher.explanation of I’ll try and give you a quick explanation of how the machine works.COLLOCATIONSverbshave an explanation Does the hospital have any explanation for why he died?give an explanation The police gave no explanation for their actions.provide/offer an explanation The theory may provide an explanation for the origins of the universe.find an explanation (also think of an explanation, come up with an explanation) Scientists have been unable to find an explanation for this phenomenon.ask for an explanation (also demand an explanation) When I asked for an explanation, the people at the office said they didn’t know. Parents are demanding an explanation from the school.owe (somebody) an explanation I think you owe me some kind of explanation.accept an explanation (=believe that it is true or correct) The court accepted her explanation.need/require an explanation We believe the abrupt change in policy requires an explanation.defy explanation (=not be able to find an explanation) The incident has defied scientific explanation.an explanation lies in something (=is related to something) The explanation lies in the structure of atoms.adjectivesa possible explanation Can anyone think of a possible explanation for why this is happening?a simple explanation I’m sure there’s a simple explanation for why she’s not here.the most likely/probable explanation (=one that is probably true) The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.the only explanation (=the only possible one) He must not have seen you – that’s the only explanation.an alternative/different explanation The data led us to consider an alternative explanation.an obvious explanation (=one that is easy to see or notice) There is no obvious explanation for his strange behavior.a logical/rational explanation (=one that is based on facts) Physics finally gave us a rational explanation for the atom’s strange behavior.a scientific explanation It can’t be a ghost – there must be some scientific explanation.a plausible/reasonable/good explanation (=one that is easy to believe) Pilot error is the most plausible explanation for the crash.a satisfactory/adequate explanation (=one that explains something completely) A bank must offer an adequate explanation of all its charges.a convincing/credible explanation (=one that you can believe is true) The author fails to provide a convincing explanation for the main character’s motives.a detailed explanation She gave us a long detailed explanation of where she’d been.further explanation (=additional reasons) He gave no further explanation for leaving, and she did not ask for any. |