What does explanation mean?
Word: Explanation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Explanation means words that make something clear or easy to understand, such as the steps of a sum or the cause of an event.
Synonyms: account, description
How do you spell explanation?
Syllables: ex - pla - na - tion
Tricky part: Explain has ai, but explanation keeps only the a. Writing explaination is the most common slip.
Watch out for: explaination, explenation, explanasion
Memory tip: Explain drops its i when it grows into explanation, the same way proclaim becomes proclamation.
Explanation in a sentence
Example 1: Our teacher gave a clear explanation of how rainbows form.
Example 2: Jack had no explanation for the mud on his new shoes.
Example 3: Read the explanation below each answer in the guide book.
Fun Fact
Explain grew out of the Latin explanare, to flatten out, so an explanation smooths out an idea until nothing is hidden in its folds.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) imagenation
b) pronunciation
c) examination
d) explanation
Show answer
a) imagenation. Imagination has an i after the g, as in imagine.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word: explanation
a) reason
b) silence
c) question
d) mystery
Show answer
a) reason. An explanation tells you the reason something happened.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
nolapextina
a) exploration
b) exploitation
c) expectation
d) explanation
Show answer
d) explanation. Exploration and exploitation start the same way, but only explanation has two a's and two n's.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which question asks for an explanation?
a) Is the sky blue today?
b) Why is the sky blue?
c) Can you see the sky?
d) What colour is the sky?
Show answer
b) Why is the sky blue?
2. Three of these sentences contain an explanation. Which one does not?
a) We were late because the bus broke down.
b) The plant died because nobody watered it.
c) The milk spilt because the cat jumped up.
d) Please close the door when you leave.
Show answer
d) Please close the door when you leave.
