can expand upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can expand upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone can provide more detail or elaboration on a particular topic or idea. Example: "If you have any additional insights, please feel free to share how you can expand upon your initial thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We can expand upon the excellent projects aimed at getting women and girls into science.

The Guardian

"There's got to be something you can expand upon," he explains.

The Guardian

"As long as it is a good product, it can expand upon the success of Freeview," he said.

BBC

The next 1 to 1.5 pages can expand upon these areas, but you still need to be very concise".

Science Magazine

Here, we consider how a statistical free energy approach can expand upon current methods of phylogenetic design.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Results from these designs can expand upon outcomes of RCT because of the use of larger and more diverse patient populations with common comorbidities and longer follow-up periods.

Médecine des Maladies Métaboliques

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Potting on is all about providing fresh compost into which roots can expand and upon which new shoots can draw, but everything is shutting down and taking a rest for the winter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alleles with 27 35 repeats (called mutable normal or intermediate alleles) are not associated with disease symptoms but can expand into the affected range upon (predominantly paternal) germline transmission and thus cause HD in offspring.

European Journal of Human Genetics

In contrast to epithelial cells that form a monolayer upon full confluency, primary MSCs can expand on top of each other, giving rise to multilayered cell sheets.

Biology Open

"For me, science is a medium for listening and reflecting upon the human condition, much like religion and literature.... Science can expand our capacities for listening and reflecting.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Can you expand upon your conception of self-portraiture relating to the idea of cultural memory a bit more?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can expand upon", ensure that the context clearly indicates what aspect needs further development or explanation. Provide the foundational information first before indicating the possibility of further expansion.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "can expand upon" in very formal writing. While grammatically correct, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "elaborate" or "expound" to enhance the tone and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can expand upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating the potential for further explanation or development of a topic or idea. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can expand upon" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that suggests the possibility of further explanation or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although it appears more frequently in news, science, and general writing compared to highly formal or academic settings. Consider alternatives like "can elaborate on" or "can build upon" to enhance your writing style, and always provide the foundational information before indicating the potential for expansion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can elaborate on

Focuses specifically on providing more details.

can build upon

Implies adding to an existing foundation or idea.

can expound on

Suggests a more formal and detailed explanation.

can develop further

Highlights the aspect of continued development.

can enlarge upon

Focuses on increasing the scope or extent.

can amplify

Indicates an increase in strength or intensity of the idea.

can augment

Suggests adding something to improve or complete the original.

can flesh out

Implies adding more substance and detail to make it complete.

can add detail to

Directly refers to including more specific information.

can give more insight into

Emphasizes the addition of a deeper understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "can expand upon" in a sentence?

You can use "can expand upon" to suggest that something can be discussed in greater detail. For instance, "We "can expand upon" the initial findings in the next section" suggests a more detailed exploration of the findings.

What can I say instead of "can expand upon"?

You can use alternatives like "can elaborate on", "can build upon", or "can expound on" depending on the context.

Is "can expand upon" formal or informal?

"Can expand upon" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "can elaborate on".

Which is correct, "can expand upon" or "can expand on"?

Both "can expand upon" and "can expand on" are grammatically correct. "Can expand upon" tends to be slightly more formal. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.