Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] EXPLAIN [topic]
NOTE: the agent is NOT the cause of the phenomenon, but the communicator of it (differs from Sense 2)
Examples:
He explained the laws of physics to his students.
The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean.
She explained that she was doing a piece on Susan Clancy's new book on UFO abductions.
She explained that Islam was brought to various parts of the world with previously existing cultures.
Both a science and an art book, Colorworm explains the electromagnetic spectrum and visible light.
The surgeon explained how to make the incision to the 1st-year medical students.
Mappings:
FrameNet: Explaining_the_facts
PropBank: explain.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2
Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] EXPLAIN NP2[patient]
NOTE: the subject NP -is- presented as the cause of the object (event, situation) (differs from Sense 1)
Examples:
Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again.
Oh! Well, that explains it.
This explains why Donald Rumsfeld so strongly opposed the reforms recommended by the 9/11 commission.
The purpose of these analyses was to test the hypothesis that IQ explains socioeconomic differentials.
All his conduct cannot be explained away as an innocent misunderstanding.
Mappings:
FrameNet: Explaining_the_facts,Justifying
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3