They are central both to the 'level-of-analysis' issue and to problems of how seriously to take the actors' own explanation of their actions.

"I'll take your explanation for now," said Ett.

In a police car, the police officer isn't taking Tom and Jerry's explanation.

Nobody took the Contessa's explanation seriously, that it was a lock of her son's hair.

The cook took Tom's explanation at face value.

But as the problem gets worse, and his troubles increase, he's forced to take his explanation in a new direction.

He seemed to take my explanation with equanimity and went about his business.

He decided to take the servant's explanation.

"I took their explanation at face value," he said.

Rain sounded out the word, uncertain of how to take his explanation.