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Explainable vs Explicable: When To Use Each One In Writing?

Explainable vs Explicable: When To Use Each One In Writing?

Have you ever heard the terms “explainable” and “explicable” and wondered what the difference is? In this article, we will explore the nuances of these two words and their meanings.

Let’s clarify which of the two is the proper word to use. Both “explainable” and “explicable” are correct, but they have slightly different connotations.

“Explainable” means that something is capable of being explained or understood. It implies that there is a clear and logical explanation for the phenomenon in question.

“Explicable,” on the other hand, means that something can be accounted for or justified. It suggests that there may be a reason or explanation for the phenomenon, but it may not be immediately obvious or easy to understand.

Now that we have established the definitions of these two words, let’s delve deeper into their implications. Understanding the difference between “explainable” and “explicable” can help us better navigate complex situations and make more informed decisions.

Define Explainable

Explainable refers to something that can be easily understood or explained. In the context of artificial intelligence and machine learning, explainable refers to the ability of an algorithm or model to provide a clear and concise explanation for its decisions or actions. This is important for transparency and accountability in areas such as healthcare, finance, and law.

Define Explicable

Explicable, on the other hand, refers to something that can be explained, but may not necessarily be easy to understand. It implies that the explanation may require a certain level of expertise or knowledge to comprehend. In the context of AI and machine learning, explicable models may provide an explanation for their decisions, but the explanation may not be easily understandable for the average person.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using words in a sentence, it’s important to understand their meanings and how they can be applied. In this section, we’ll explore the proper usage of the words “explainable” and “explicable.”

How To Use “Explainable” In A Sentence

“Explainable” is an adjective that describes something that can be explained or understood. Here are a few examples of how to use “explainable” in a sentence:

  • The concept was difficult to understand, but it was explainable with a little effort.
  • The cause of the problem was not immediately explainable, and required further investigation.
  • While some aspects of the theory were still unclear, the majority of it was explainable through empirical evidence.

As you can see, “explainable” is used to describe something that can be explained or understood, even if it may require some effort or investigation.

How To Use “Explicable” In A Sentence

“Explicable” is also an adjective, but it describes something that can be explained or justified. Here are a few examples of how to use “explicable” in a sentence:

  • The decision was not popular, but it was explicable given the circumstances.
  • The behavior of the suspect was not easily explicable, and required further analysis.
  • While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, it was explicable based on the available data.

As you can see, “explicable” is used to describe something that can be explained or justified, even if it may not be immediately obvious or popular.

More Examples Of Explainable & Explicable Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how to use the words “explainable” and “explicable” in sentences. These examples will help you gain a better understanding of how to use these words correctly in your writing.

Examples Of Using “Explainable” In A Sentence

  • The reason for the delay in the project was explainable due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • The company’s profits are explainable by their innovative marketing strategies.
  • The scientist was able to provide an explainable theory for the phenomenon.
  • The sudden drop in temperature is explainable by the approaching cold front.
  • The increase in crime rate is explainable by the lack of police presence in the area.
  • The poor performance of the team is explainable by their lack of training.
  • The politician’s behavior was explainable by his desire to win the election.
  • The success of the product is explainable by its unique features.
  • The teacher’s instructions were explainable and easy to follow.
  • The mistake was explainable as it was caused by a miscommunication.

Examples Of Using “Explicable” In A Sentence

  • The reason for the delay in the project was not explicable to the stakeholders.
  • The company’s profits were not explicable until the accountant reviewed the financial statements.
  • The scientist’s findings were not immediately explicable, but further research provided clarity.
  • The sudden drop in temperature was not explicable by the weather forecast.
  • The increase in crime rate was not explicable until the police investigated the matter.
  • The poor performance of the team was not explicable to the coach until he reviewed the game footage.
  • The politician’s behavior was not explicable to his supporters.
  • The success of the product was not explicable until the market research was conducted.
  • The teacher’s instructions were not explicable to the students until she provided further clarification.
  • The mistake was not explicable until the root cause analysis was conducted.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the terms “explainable” and “explicable,” it is easy to fall into the trap of using them interchangeably. However, these two terms have distinct meanings, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and miscommunication. In this section, we will highlight some common mistakes people make when using these terms and offer tips on how to avoid them in the future.

Using “Explainable” When You Mean “Explicable”

One common mistake people make is using “explainable” when they actually mean “explicable.” While these two terms may seem similar, they have different meanings. “Explainable” refers to something that can be easily explained or understood, while “explicable” refers to something that can be explained, but may require more effort or expertise to understand.

For example, if you say that a concept is “explainable,” you are suggesting that it is straightforward and can be easily understood by most people. However, if you say that a concept is “explicable,” you are suggesting that it may require more explanation or expertise to fully understand.

Using “Explicable” When You Mean “Explainable”

Another common mistake is using “explicable” when you actually mean “explainable.” This mistake is less common than the previous one, but it can still lead to confusion. When you use “explicable” instead of “explainable,” you are suggesting that something is more complex or difficult to understand than it actually is.

For example, if you say that a concept is “explicable,” you are suggesting that it requires a high level of expertise or knowledge to understand. However, if the concept is actually relatively simple, using “explicable” can make it seem more complicated than it really is.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to understand the differences between “explainable” and “explicable.” When you are describing something, take a moment to think about which term is most appropriate. If you are unsure, it may be helpful to look up the definitions of both terms to ensure that you are using the correct one.

Additionally, it can be helpful to ask someone else to review your writing and provide feedback. A fresh set of eyes can often catch mistakes or inconsistencies that you may have missed.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that you are using “explainable” and “explicable” correctly, and avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between explainable and explicable, context plays a crucial role. Depending on the situation, one term may be more suitable than the other. Let’s take a closer look at different contexts and how the choice between explainable and explicable might change.

Scientific Research

In scientific research, the term “explainable” is often preferred. This is because scientific research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms and processes that govern a particular phenomenon. In this context, explainable refers to the ability to provide a clear and concise explanation of how something works. For example, a scientist might seek to explain the mechanism by which a particular drug works to treat a disease.

Legal Proceedings

Legal proceedings, on the other hand, often require the use of the term “explicable.” In this context, explicable refers to the ability to provide a justification or rationale for a particular decision or action. For example, a judge might ask a defendant to explain why they committed a particular crime.

Artificial Intelligence

When it comes to artificial intelligence, the choice between explainable and explicable can depend on the specific application. In some cases, explainable AI is preferred, as it allows for a clear understanding of how the AI system is making decisions. In other cases, explicable AI may be more appropriate, as it allows for a justification of the decisions made by the AI system. For example, in a medical diagnosis system, explainable AI may be preferred, while in a self-driving car system, explicable AI may be more appropriate.

Summary

In summary, the choice between explainable and explicable depends on the context in which they are used. While explainable is often preferred in scientific research, explicable is often required in legal proceedings. In the context of artificial intelligence, the choice between the two terms can depend on the specific application.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of explainable and explicable is generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where the rules may not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Technical Jargon

In technical fields, certain terms and phrases may have specific meanings that differ from their everyday usage. In such cases, the use of explainable and explicable may not be as clear cut. For instance, in computer science, the term “explainable AI” is commonly used to refer to machine learning models that can provide a clear explanation for their decisions. However, in other fields, the term “explicable” may be used instead.

2. Cultural Differences

The usage of explainable and explicable may also vary depending on cultural context. For example, in some cultures, it may be more common to use one term over the other. Additionally, some languages may not have direct equivalents for these terms, which can lead to confusion when translating between languages.

3. Philosophical Debates

There are ongoing debates in philosophy regarding the nature of explanation and understanding. Some philosophers argue that certain phenomena are fundamentally inexplicable, while others contend that everything can be explained given sufficient knowledge and understanding. In these cases, the usage of explainable and explicable may be contested and dependent on one’s philosophical perspective.

4. Legal Terminology

In legal contexts, the usage of explainable and explicable may have specific meanings and ramifications. For example, in some jurisdictions, the term “explicable” may be used in reference to a legal defense strategy, while “explainable” may be used to describe the burden of proof in a criminal case. As such, it is important to be aware of the specific legal context when using these terms.

Overall, while the usage of explainable and explicable is generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where the rules may not apply. It is important to be aware of these exceptions in order to use these terms correctly and effectively.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a clear understanding of the difference between explainable and explicable, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these terms in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with either explainable or explicable:

  1. The reason for the delay in the project was not ____________.
  2. Her behavior was not easily ____________.
  3. The science behind the phenomenon is ____________.
  4. He found the instructions to be ____________.

Answer Key:

  1. The reason for the delay in the project was not explicable.
  2. Her behavior was not easily explainable.
  3. The science behind the phenomenon is explicable.
  4. He found the instructions to be explainable.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

  1. The concept was not easily ____________.
  • a) explainable
  • b) explicable
  • The situation was ____________.
    • a) explainable
    • b) explicable
  • The complexity of the problem made it ____________.
    • a) explainable
    • b) explicable
  • The reason for the decision was ____________.
    • a) explainable
    • b) explicable

    Answer Key:

    1. The concept was not easily explicable.
    2. The situation was explainable.
    3. The complexity of the problem made it explicable.
    4. The reason for the decision was explicable.

    By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of explainable and explicable in your writing and speech.

    Conclusion

    After exploring the concepts of explainable and explicable, it is clear that they are both important in their own ways. While explainable refers to something that can be easily understood or explained, explicable refers to something that can be explained but may require more effort or knowledge to understand fully.

    It is important to recognize the difference between these two terms in order to effectively communicate and understand complex ideas. When writing or speaking, it is crucial to consider your audience and use language that is appropriate for their level of understanding.

    Furthermore, understanding the nuances of language and grammar can greatly enhance communication and improve the clarity of your message. It is worth investing time and effort into learning more about these topics in order to become a more effective communicator.

    To summarize, the key takeaways from this article are:

    • Explainable and explicable are two related but distinct concepts in language and grammar
    • Understanding the difference between these terms can improve communication and clarity of message
    • Investing in learning more about language and grammar can greatly enhance communication skills

    We encourage readers to continue learning about grammar and language use in order to become more effective communicators and to better understand the complexities of language.