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Seraphin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

An explanation why .. or an explanation for why ..

I've seen two different ways of stating this expression but I am not sure whether one expression is correct but the other not or whether they offer subtle context-dependent nuances.

Examples
This new finding provides an explanation why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.
This new finding provides an explanation FOR why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.

Any help?
  

Top answer

This new finding provides an explanation (as to ) why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus. '. This new finding provides an explanation FOR why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.

— Terryxpress

  • This new finding provides an explanation (as to ) why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.
  • '.
  • This new finding provides an explanation FOR why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.
  • Explanation for the Gender Differences in Expressing Emotions.
  • A Possible Anatomic Explanation for Inaccuracies in the Derivation of Pulmonary Artery Pressure, Another possible explanation for the phenomenon of déjà vu is the occurrence of "cryptomnesia", which is where information learned is Candice Bergen's 2006 Stroke Confirmed.
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10 Answers
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This new finding provides an explanation (as to ) why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus. Emotion: yes
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SeraphinThis new finding provides an explanation why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.This new finding provides an explanation FOR why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.
If Google is any guide, explanation for why is used about four times more often than explanation why.

Occurrences in millions:
explanation as to w
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CalifJimSeraphinThis new finding provides an explanation why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.This new finding provides an explanation FOR why neutrons are bound together in the nucleus.If Google is any guide, explanation for why is used about four times more often than explanation why.Occurrences in millions:explanation as to why - 15.7explanation for why - 9.7
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SeraphinIs this due to the so-called "British vs American" English nuances ?
I don't know. I'm American and explanation for why seems fine to me, as do many other uses of explanation for followed by an indirect question, e.g., an explanation for how it's done.

CJ
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Hi,
SeraphinCJ thinks it's okay either way.
And so do I. I don't consider an explanation for why to be wrong. I myself use it every now and then.

Regards
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It still amazes me that we look for- and rely on - support and so justification from the Internet.
We see and hear everyday in American reality shows/documentaries/blogs examples of 'I had went' (4 MIllion 250 thousand Google hits) and 'he rung me and come over to my place' (17 million 700,000 thousand hits
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Did you check the relative frequency of "had went" and "had gone"? And of "he rung" and "he rang"?

Sometimes it's the relative frequency that's more important than the absolute frequency.

FYI Only 105,000 hits for "I breath a sigh"!
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Better:

This new finding explains why neurons are bound together in the nucleus.

Always look for ways to use the active voice.
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AnonymousThis new finding explains why neurons are bound together in the nucleus. Always look for ways to use the active voice.
Neurons are considerably different from neutrons.

I don't see a change of voice in your version. provides an explanation and explains are both active.

CJ
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I had a similar question and came across this thread. What surprised me, though, is that the the option
"This new finding provides an explanation of why... "
has not even been mentioned by anyone.

Google searches have already been frowned upon here, but I do believe in the general utility of comparing the relative frequency of different alternatives. So this i
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