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    I explained the reason

    12­ Replies
    Topic

    I explained the reason

    Comment
    Hello Everyone,
    Would anybody mind checking my below sentences in correct and friendly commercial English?

    I explained the reason why I had not granted an allocation for some types of apartments. As you know, it is due to the limited number of theese apartments we have in our holiday residence.

    Context: Travel agent wishes to get an allocation instead to work with us "on request basis". It is impossible or not vey easy, because we have only one or two appartments of theese types of accommodations. So, we wish to avoid overbooking.

    Any suggestions are welcome.
    Thank you very much in advance for your help.
    Author dalmat3 (639963) 26 Jun 17, 15:05
    Comment
    Without more context maybe:

    I tried to explain to you the reason for my not having granted an allocation of some types of apartments: we have a (very) limited number of those apartments in our holiday residence.


    By the way: Travel agent wishes to get an allocation instead of working with us ...
    And these only has two "e"s, not three.
    #1AuthorKai (236222) 26 Jun 17, 15:20
    Comment
    Kai, thank you very much for your suggestion. Sory for my typos.

    To work "on requiest basis" means that the travel agent must ask our booking department for every rerquest.(reservation), whilst "on allocation basis" he does not need. I hope this helps you to better understand.
    #2Author dalmat3 (639963) 26 Jun 17, 15:29
    Comment
    So does my translation work for you or are you looking for something different?
    #3AuthorKai (236222) 26 Jun 17, 16:12
    Comment
    Kai, it is great. I shall use your suggested sentence.
    Many thanks indeed.

    Have a great afternoon!
    #4Author dalmat3 (639963) 26 Jun 17, 17:25
    Comment
    This might be OK for spoken or informal communication, but explaining a reason isn't really very good.

    The verb explain has as its object a situation, a problem, etc., not a reason.... question is more about sense than about grammar. I find "The reason why he was late was that he was ill" logical, but "He explained the reason why he was late" illogical, when you in fact want to explain a situation or a problem, i.e. his lateness. "He explained why John was late" means he explained a situation, a problem, etc. But 'He explained the reason why John was late" means he explained a reason


    #5Author Jurist (US) (804041) 26 Jun 17, 18:06
    Comment
    Yes to #5.

    Better possibilities are:

    I told you why*
    I gave you the reason why**
    I explained why***


    *This one might be interpreted as being a bit harsh, as though you were speaking to a child or subordinate.

    **This one is probably OK but it's slightly awkward and unnecessarily wordy. (Some Leos will therefore prefer it.)

    ***This is what I'd recommend.
    #6AuthorHappyWarrior (964133) 26 Jun 17, 20:45
    Comment
    Jurist, thank you very much for your input.

    HappyWarrior, thank you so much for helping me out. I am really very happy your are always here.

    Best wishes, dalmat

    So, I shall write Kai's sentence as follows:
    I explained why I had not granted an allocation of some types of apartments: we have a (very) limited number of those apartments in our holiday residence.

    I hope it is correct.



    #7Author dalmat3 (639963) 26 Jun 17, 21:14
    Comment
    Yes; I also thought 'I tried to explain' sounded a bit like '.. but you were too stupid to understand'. So I'd prefer the 'I expained' version.

    But actually, I'd probably say:

    As I explained, it is unfortunately not possible to allocate you .... because we have only....

    For some reason, 'as I explained' strikes me as less harsh than 'I explained that/why'. I don't know why and maybe it's only me.
    #8Author Gibson (418762) 26 Jun 17, 21:26
    Comment
    Support #8, assuming that there has already been an explanation.
    #9Author Jurist (US) (804041) 26 Jun 17, 21:30
    Comment
    Yes, I'd say that Gibson's suggestion is good.

    It really depends on what tone dalmat wants here. If a slightly gentler tone is appropriate, then perhaps:

    As previously mentioned, . . .

    As previously mentioned, I could not grant an allocation in our holiday residence because we have a very limited number of apartments there.*

    *Of course, you (dalmat) should alter this to meet your facts and need.
     
    #10AuthorHappyWarrior (964133) 26 Jun 17, 22:12
    Comment
    Another option:

    As I explained, we are unable to grant an open / a standing / a fixed allocation for our (three-bedroom / ocean view / penthouse / etc.) apartments because we have such a limited number available. We will still be happy to accept reservations for this category on an individual first-come first-served basis.
    #11Author hm -- us (236141) 27 Jun 17, 00:08
    Comment
    Thank you all for your useful input.

    Actually, I maintain good relationship with all our partners.
    In this case, the travel agent was aware of the situation, but he was really insisting on getting a fixed allocation.

    #12Author dalmat3 (639963) 27 Jun 17, 10:05
     
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