The phrase "explain why" is commonly used to request clarification or reasons behind a statement, action, or decision. It means providing reasons, justifications, or causes for why something occurs or why it is important. Essentially, it asks for the rationale that supports an answer or opinion, deepening understanding or insight.
However, in some contexts such as education, asking students to "explain why" is considered unnecessary because explanation is an expected part of answering. Effective questioning instead focuses on asking better, more thought-provoking questions rather than simply adding "explain why" as a prompt. This helps foster higher-level thinking rather than just justifying simple answers.
