Explanative

Explanative is an adjective meaning serving to explain or providing explanation and clarification. It is a relatively uncommon synonym of explanatory, and it tends to appear in more formal, historical, or scholarly writing. In contemporary usage, explanatory is far more widespread, while explanative may be found as a variant in certain catalogs, glossaries, or stylistic choices.

Etymology and usage notes

Explanative is formed from the verb explain plus the suffix -ative. It is attested in English from the early modern period and has remained rare compared with explanatory. In modern texts, writers more often choose explanatory to describe material designed to clarify a topic, whereas explanative tends to be used when the emphasis is on the act or function of providing explanation, or when aiming for a traditional or specialized tone.

Contexts and examples

Explanative appears in contexts such as notes, appendices, or passages that aim to explain a point. Examples might include an explanative paragraph intended to situate a argument within a broader historical framework, or an explanative note clarifying a term's usage. While understandable to readers, usage is not as common as its more frequent counterpart, explanatory.

Comparison with related terms

Explanative is closely related to explanatory, elucidatory, and interpretive terms. Explanatory emphasizes the quality of offering an explanation, while explanative highlights the act or function of explaining. The choice between them can reflect tradition, field-specific style guides, or author preference.

See also

Explanatory, elucidatory, interpretive, clarifying notes, glossaries.