detail out

USAGE SUMMARY

'detail out' is not an accepted phrase in written English.
The phrase 'spell out' is much more common. For example, "I need you to spell out the details of the plan for me."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

After several requests, I finally got Progressive to come to the phone and explain in detail, out loud and on the record, why it chose to fight Ms. Fisher's family in court.

The New York Times

Just get some kind of entry in ASAP and we can sort the detail out later.

TechCrunch

Sophocles left that little detail out.

The New York Times

From those three sites, one site is selected to further develop and detail out.

Columbia University

"I couldn't finish it, but I have left that detail out in certain conversations".

The New York Times

In the thinking of Woods it gets an awkward detail out of the way.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Without going into too much detail, out-of-office time includes things like paid time off, business travel and appointments.

Forbes

The household survey asked respondents to detail out-of-pocket health expenditures for all admissions.

British Medical Journal

In a little more detail, out-of-pocket payments account for 37.6% of total health expenditure, whilst private insurance accounts for 2.1%, calling the social character of the health system into question [ 1].

BMC Health Services Research

Demographic characters of the individuals for the study are detailed out in Table 1.

BMC Infectious Diseases

(For more detail, check out overlawyered.com).

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer more common and grammatically accepted alternatives such as "spell out", "elaborate on", or "specify" to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "detail out" in formal writing or professional settings. Although it may appear in some sources, it is not a standard or widely accepted expression, and using it can detract from the clarity and credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detail out" functions as a phrasal verb, intending to convey the action of providing comprehensive information or specifications. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not considered standard English, impacting its effectiveness in formal communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "detail out" appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academic sources, it is not considered standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, more accepted alternatives like "spell out", "elaborate on", and "specify" are preferable for clarity and grammatical correctness. It is best to avoid "detail out" in formal writing and professional settings to maintain credibility and ensure effective communication. The phrase's intended purpose is to elucidate and specify information, but its non-standard status undermines its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spell out

Using "spell out" provides a clearer and more commonly accepted way to express explaining something explicitly.

Elaborate on

"Elaborate on" focuses on expanding and providing more information on a specific topic.

Specify

"Specify" emphasizes making something distinct and clear.

Set forth

"Set forth" suggests presenting information in a structured and detailed manner.

Delineate

"Delineate" refers to describing or portraying something precisely.

Clarify

"Clarify" aims to make something easier to understand by providing more details.

Expound on

"Expound on" means to present and explain a topic in detail.

Lay out

"Lay out" suggests presenting information in a clear and organized manner.

Outline

"Outline" refers to providing a summary of the main points or features.

Itemize

"Itemize" is used to list things separately or to specify each item.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "detail out"?

Instead of "detail out", you can use phrases such as "spell out", "elaborate on", or "specify" depending on the context.

Is "detail out" grammatically correct?

No, "detail out" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use more accepted alternatives like "spell out" or "elaborate on".

When is it appropriate to use "detail out"?

While "detail out" might appear in some informal contexts, it's generally safer to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more widely accepted phrases such as "lay out" or "outline".

What's the difference between "detail out" and "spell out"?

"Detail out" is a less common and potentially confusing phrase, while "spell out" means to explain something very clearly and explicitly. "Spell out" is the preferred choice for clarity and correctness.