Explanation vs. Explaination – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling is explanation. The word “explaination” is a common misspelling and does not exist in standard English. It often arises from confusion with the verb “explain,” but the noun form correctly uses an “a” before the “tion” suffix, not an “ai.”
Explanation or Explaination – Which is Correct?
When you need to clarify something or provide a reason, the word you are looking for is explanation. The form “explaination” is an error, frequently occurring because of how the base verb “explain” is pronounced and spelled. People often mistakenly carry the “ai” sound and spelling from “explain” directly into the noun form, leading to the incorrect “explaination.” However, the correct suffix for forming nouns from verbs ending in ‘-ain’ or ‘-e’ is often ‘-ation’ or ‘-tion’, and in this case, it’s ‘explanation’.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The easiest trick to remember the correct spelling is to associate explanation with the word “plan.” Think of an explanation as a “plan” to make something clear. Both “explanation” and “plan” share the ‘a’ sound and letter in their core. This helps you remember that the correct spelling uses an ‘a’ after the ‘n’, not ‘ai’.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| explanation | Noun | A statement or account that makes something clear; a reason or justification. | The teacher provided a clear explanation of the complex theory. |
| explaination | Incorrect | A common misspelling of “explanation.” | (Incorrect usage) She gave an excellent explaination of the problem. |
How to Use Explanation
The word “explanation” is a noun that refers to the act or process of explaining something, or the reason or justification given for an action or belief. It is used in both formal and informal contexts to request or provide clarity. An explanation can be a detailed account, a simple reason, or a logical justification for why something is the way it is.
Example 1: The scientist’s groundbreaking research offered a new explanation for the phenomenon.
Example 2: Can you give me a brief explanation of how this software works?
Example 3: His lack of a convincing explanation led to further suspicion.
What are the different forms of Explanation?
As a noun, “explanation” primarily changes form to denote plurality. The singular form is “explanation,” and the plural form is “explanations.” There are no irregular tenses or degrees of comparison for this noun.
- Singular: explanation (e.g., “I need an explanation.”)
- Plural: explanations (e.g., “She offered several explanations.”)
Etymology of the word Explanation
The word “explanation” traces its roots back to the Latin verb explanare, meaning “to make level, flatten, spread out, unfold, explain.” This verb combined ex- (“out, thoroughly”) and planus (“flat, level”). From Latin, it moved into Old French as explainer and then into Middle English as explainen (to explain). The noun form “explanation” emerged in the late 14th century, derived from the Latin explanatio, meaning “an explanation, interpretation.”
Related Concepts
Understanding related grammatical concepts can help solidify why “explanation” is the correct spelling and avoid common errors like “explaination.”
- Suffixes: The suffix “-ation” is commonly used to form nouns from verbs, indicating an action or process (e.g., “inform” -> “information,” “observe” -> “observation”). While “explain” ends in “-ain,” its noun form follows a similar pattern, losing the “i” and adding “-ation.”
- Phonetic Misspellings: Many misspellings occur when words are spelled as they sound rather than according to established orthography. “Explaination” is a classic example of a phonetic misspelling, where the “ai” sound from “explain” is incorrectly carried over to the noun form.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” — Socrates, often requiring much explanation to fully grasp its depth.
- In Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, Holmes is renowned for his brilliant deductions and the detailed explanation he provides at the conclusion of each case.
- A common news headline might read: “Government Issues Official Explanation for Recent Policy Change.”
- “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” — Henry Ward Beecher, a quote that often needs an explanation to connect with an audience.
- In scientific journals, researchers always provide a comprehensive explanation of their methodology and findings.
Explanation Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clarification | The act of making something clearer or easier to understand. |
| Elucidation | The act of making something clear, especially by explaining it. |
| Interpretation | The action of explaining the meaning of something. |
| Justification | The action of showing something to be right or reasonable. |
| Account | A report or description of an event or experience. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “explaination” a common misspelling?
“Explaination” is a common misspelling because people often mistakenly carry the “ai” spelling from the verb “explain” directly into its noun form. The correct noun suffix is “-ation,” leading to “explanation.”
Question 2: What is the difference between “explain” and “explanation”?
“Explain” is a verb, meaning to make something clear or understandable (e.g., “Please explain the rules.”). “Explanation” is a noun, referring to the statement or account that clarifies something (e.g., “The explanation was very clear.”).
Question 3: How can I ensure I always spell “explanation” correctly?
A good trick is to remember that the word contains “plan.” Just as you “plan” to do something, you give an “explanation” to make something clear. This helps reinforce the ‘a’ after the ‘n’.
Conclusion
In the choice between “explanation” and “explaination,” the correct and only accepted spelling is explanation. While “explaination” is a frequently encountered misspelling, understanding its origin in phonetic confusion with the verb “explain” can help you avoid this common error. Mastering such distinctions enhances clarity in your writing and communication.
Pro Tip: Consistent use of correct grammar and spelling, even for commonly confused words, significantly boosts your credibility and professionalism in any written communication, from academic papers to emails.
