Expand on that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Expand on that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide more details or elaborate on a previous statement or idea. Example: "I understand your point about the project's timeline, but could you expand on that to clarify your concerns?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Expand on that.

Huffington Post

Expand on that, Brian.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expand on that a little.

Huffington Post

Gradually, you'll find what gives you pleasure or feels interesting and you can expand on that.

Independent

We hope to expand on that success along the Seventh Avenue line this week".

The New York Times

Perhaps we can expand on that because the amount of public money that's spent in Shropshire... is into the billions.

BBC

In this article, we'll expand on that and discuss how you can seize your opportunities.

TechCrunch

It was just easier to expand on that.

Huffington Post

I had a small craft section in my other book, I Like You and I wanted to expand on that.

Huffington Post

"Let's expand on that".

The New York Times

Could you expand on that?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Expand on that" when you need someone to provide more context or detail about a specific statement they have made. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Common error

While "Expand on that" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "Elaborate further" or "Provide additional context" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Expand on that" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to provide more details or information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Expand on that" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase for requesting more detailed information. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional settings. Its primary function is to prompt elaboration, ensuring clarity and a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, followed by scientific and wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Elaborate on that

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "expand" with "elaborate" for a more formal tone.

Can you elaborate on that point

This alternative specifies that you are looking for elaboration on a specific point.

Could you clarify that

This alternative is more direct, specifically requesting clarification.

Give more details on that

This alternative focuses on requesting additional details.

Provide further explanation

This alternative uses more formal language while maintaining the core meaning.

Explain that further

This alternative emphasizes the need for a more thorough explanation.

Say more about that

This alternative is more informal, suggesting a desire for additional information.

Tell me more about that

This alternative is a more conversational way of asking for additional information.

Shed more light on that

This alternative uses figurative language to request further explanation or clarification.

Talk about that in more detail

This option politely prompts the speaker to provide a more comprehensive explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "Expand on that" in a sentence?

"Expand on that" is typically used as a direct request for someone to provide more details about something they've already mentioned. For example, "You said the project is behind schedule. Can you "expand on that"?"

What's a more formal way to say "Expand on that"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "Could you elaborate further?", "Please provide additional details", or "Can you clarify that point?" These alternatives offer a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Is "Expand on that" appropriate for academic writing?

While "Expand on that" is generally understood, it might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal phrases such as "Elaborate on that point", "Provide a more detailed explanation", or "Further discussion on this matter is needed".

What's the difference between "Expand on that" and "Explain that"?

"Explain that" is a broader request for clarification, while "Expand on that" specifically asks for more details or context to be added to a statement that has already been made. You would use "Expand on that" when you want someone to build upon an existing point.