Elaborate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Elaborate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide more details or to explain something in greater depth. Example: "Could you please elaborate on your proposal so we can better understand your ideas?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He refused to elaborate.

The New York Times

Setting up an elaborate Berber camp in the July heat each day looked like hard work but Bobo laughed it off: "We are used to the desert.

The Guardian - Travel

A few years ago when I couldn't sleep, I'd lie there constructing an elaborate fantasy life for myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asked to elaborate, he said: "We found them to be quite comical on account of how they were dressed and the excessive jewellery they were wearing".

The Guardian

And all recipients of public money should be banned from using elaborate structures to avoid paying tax.

The Guardian - Opinion

It kicks off in at 2am on New Year's Day, seeing in the first light with a colourful (and very loud) parade, featuring dancers peacocking about in elaborate costumes, moving to the rhythm of goatskin drums, cowbells and whistles.

The Guardian - Travel

He did not elaborate on the specific steps Japan would take.

The Guardian

Long-distance buses in Ethiopia mostly leave at five or six o'clock in the morning (which confusingly is 11 or 12 o'clock Ethiopian time) and for the price of a ticket, government-run buses throw in an elaborate pre-departure ritual including a procession around the bus, led by the conductor.

The Guardian - Travel

Where there were once elaborate homes, ski lodges, spas, restaurants and boutique hotels, there are now just gigantic scraped rectangles of red earth, with the great shadows of charred and crippled trees falling across them.

The Guardian

Rising up out of the plains southwest of Padua, these conical hills or colli were a popular retreat for the nobles and bishops of Venice, who built elaborate villas and palazzi here.

The Guardian - Travel

According to Steingarten, one November Thompson provided his readers with a turkey recipe so elaborate it passed into mythology, cooks speaking of it in such reverent tones it was as if they'd joined a cult.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Elaborate" in formal writing, ensure that the additional details provided are relevant and contribute to a clearer understanding of the subject matter. Avoid unnecessary complexity that might obscure the main point.

Common error

Avoid excessive detail that can dilute the core message. Ensure the added information directly supports and clarifies the original statement without overwhelming the reader with irrelevant facts.

Linguistic Context

The term "Elaborate" functions primarily as a verb, prompting for further explanation or detail. It can also act as an adjective, describing something that is complex and detailed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "Elaborate" is a versatile word used both as a verb and an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in the English language. It is commonly used to ask for or provide more detailed information, suitable for various contexts ranging from news and media to formal business settings. As an adjective, it describes something complex and detailed. While generally correct, over-elaboration should be avoided to maintain clarity. Related phrases include "expand upon" and "go into detail". The phrase is very common and used in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expand upon

Implies adding more information or detail to a previous statement or idea.

Go into detail

Focuses on providing specific and thorough information about something.

Expound on

Suggests a more formal and thorough explanation.

Detail

A shorter, more direct way to ask for more information.

Clarify

Focuses on making something easier to understand by providing more information.

Explain further

A straightforward request for additional explanation.

Amplify

Suggests increasing the scope or intensity of an explanation.

Dive deeper

Indicates a need to explore a topic with more depth and complexity.

Give more specifics

Emphasizes the need for concrete details and examples.

Fill in the gaps

Suggests providing missing information to complete understanding.

FAQs

How do you use "Elaborate" in a sentence?

The word "Elaborate" can be used as a verb meaning to add more detail concerning something. For example, "Could you "elaborate" on your plans for the project?"

What can I say instead of "Elaborate"?

You can use alternatives like "expand upon", "go into detail", or "clarify" depending on the context.

Is it better to "Elaborate" or "Provide details"?

Both "Elaborate" and "Provide details" are correct, but "Elaborate" implies a more in-depth explanation or development of an idea, while "Provide details" simply asks for more specific information. Choose the phrase that best fits the level of explanation you need.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "Elaborate"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "Elaborate" when you need more information to fully understand a concept, plan, or statement. It's useful in situations where clarity and deeper understanding are necessary.