<p>The first five results on Google.com for explanation for:</p>
<p> NIAID Scientists Propose New Explanation for Flu Virus Antigenic Drift (Written by staff of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; <a href=“http://www.nih.gov.news/health/oct2009/niaid-29.htm[/url]”>http://www.nih.gov.news/health/oct2009/niaid-29.htm</a>)
Commentary: The scientists are proposing an explanation for (i.e., the cause of) antigenic drift in flu viruses. The explanation of the drift had already been established. This example fits the question in dispute.</p>
<p> Explanation for HIV vaccine failure eludes researches (Written by science editor and Professor of Genetics at Cornell University John Timmer; <a href=“July | 2009 | Ars Technica”>a | Ars Technica)
Commentary: The researchers were unable to find why the HIV vaccine failed. This fits the question in dispute.</p>
<p>“The scientists are the ones who would offer this explication, not those who would go searching for one.”</p>
<p>That strategy worked so well for Lamarck, right? THE SCIENTISTS HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING; THEREFORE, THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR AN EXPLANATION.</p>
<p>“would taking a picture of the score report i got as proof of the -2 writing curve be against college board rules? i assume not but i just want to make sure,”</p>
<p>I think that’s fine. Are you talking about Form W or S?</p>
<p>“That strategy worked so well for Lamarck, right? THE SCIENTISTS HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING; THEREFORE, THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR AN EXPLANATION.”</p>
<p>You’re still missing my point. They search so that they can explicate; they don’t search for a previously completed explication. You must have a misunderstanding of the word “explicate.”</p>
<p>The arrival of swallows in San Juan Capistrano on the same day each spring fascinates scientists, who continue to search for an explanation of the phenomenon.</p>
<p>Fascinating thread so far. The above sentence as wriiten is correct.</p>
<p>“search FOR the explanation of something” means that the people know something is happening and they want to understand why it is happening.</p>
<p>You search for X
X being the explanation of something why that occurs and not the definition of X , Reason is that it is clearly stated in the sentence that “the arrival of blahblah” … no need to second guess this.</p>
<p>“‘search FOR the explanation of something’ means that the people know something is happening and they want to understand why it is happening.”</p>
<p>Then how would I write a sentence in which I want to convey that Bob was searching for an explication of something, where the something is, let’s say, General Relativity? </p>
<p>You have a misconception of the meaning of “explanation of”; see my posts full of citations and commentary for direction on the proper use of it.</p>
<p>for the people who know where to see their scores
is there any way that u can tell me where u found them and/or go on my profile and tell me mine?</p>
<p>the scientist already have an explanation OF the phenomenon (the pretty birds come and fly and land on the weird-named island), what they are searching for is why it happens (internal clock, mating instincts, seasonal storms ect.) those would be examples of the explanations FOR the phenomenon</p>
<p>“for the people who know where to see their scores
is there any way that u can tell me where u found them and/or go on my profile and tell me mine?”</p>
<p>They got them from the score reports handed out at their respective high schools. On the report is a code that can be used to access the online score report.</p>
<p>Silverturtle,
"
Then how would I write a sentence in which I want to convey that Bob was searching for an explication of something, where the something is, let’s say, General Relativity?"</p>
<p>There is a slight differrence here. In the original sentence note the keyword " phenomenon" which has been introduced already as the birds arrival. There is no need to misunderstand what is beinf searched for. It is the explanation of the phenonem. Not what it is.</p>
<p>In cases where you need to specify what is being searched … the concept or the reasons for it, I agree for would be appropriate. Of is not wrong.</p>
<p>Until I can find a reputable source that supports, directly or through example, the idea that “of” is acceptable in contexts in which “explanation” is used to indicate the reason for something, I cannot resign to your contention.</p>
<p>^Have you checked the Oxford English Dictionary? I believe it’s available on the internet.
If you can’t find it in there, then you win. If you can, then you lose.</p>
<p>That dictionary is reputably known as the dictionary that has a final word on any matter related to words. Known for its huge size, The dictionary should also be able to provide a multitude of examples.</p>