detailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "detailing" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to refer to the process of providing an extremely thorough and comprehensive analysis or description of something. For example, "The historian's book on the Battle of Waterloo was noteworthy for its extensive detailing of the strategies and tactics of both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not fair," she told the Guardian of the Luxleaks furore, in which thousands of documents were released detailing tax deals between some of the world's largest companies and the Grand Duchy.

The Guardian

Those agencies follow a defined oversight chain, detailing who in the executive branch can approve intelligence operations and who in the legislature must be informed about them.

The Guardian

Other edits by lobbyists range from a computer in the offices of payday lender Wonga deleting references to "usury" from its entry, to a computer registered to the American multinational Dow Chemical repeatedly attempting to remove a large section from the company's profile detailing "controversies".

The Guardian

These people are vaping from heavy chrome and black machines with gorgeous industrial detailing, all intricately engraved, and they are generating Flying Scotsman levels of vapour.

The Guardian

Rushdie's narrator, the gloriously-named Moraes Zogoiby, gives us his family's history over four generations with a generous rush of detailing that will recall your first encounter with a crowded Mumbai street.

The Guardian

He points out that the Washington Post once described it as "Rockwell meets de Tocqueville" – a more pithy line than one usually reads in the Post these days – and goes on to enumerate Danville's charms: On my travels I saw one of those poles in the historic district detailing an important event, namely the first removal of an ovarian tumour in the world, weighing 22lbs.

The Guardian

Various pieces from the later 1970s and 80s include news accounts detailing sexual, sadistic violence against women.

The Guardian - Arts

Dr Richard Lawson, the founder of the campaign for a global human rights index, said: "Our report makes the case for the UN to publish each year a global human rights index, detailing the human rights performance of each and every government on the planet, displayed in league table form".

The Guardian

Pressure has grown on Ban over the revelations, specifically over what his organisation did when it received the internal report detailing the sexual abuse last year.

The Guardian

But in detailing episodes involving their clients over the past several years, lawyers described mad scrambles that led to the closed doors of Homan Square, a place most had never heard of previously.

The Guardian

It was put to the prime minister that a way to make firms and public sector employers do the right thing would be to compel them to publish statistics detailing the diversity of their workforces.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "detailing", ensure you follow it with specific and relevant information. Vague "detailing" weakens your argument and confuses the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "detailing" as a filler word. Ensure every instance of "detailing" actually introduces a rich, informative description or analysis. Without it, your writing becomes unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "detailing" is as a present participle, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in describing actions that are currently happening or are ongoing. The term is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "detailing" functions as a present participle or gerund, serving to provide comprehensive and thorough descriptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly within the news and media. While suitable for formal and professional writing, its overuse without substance should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "elaborating on" or "providing specifics" to add nuance to your writing. Remember, "detailing" is about substance, ensuring every instance contributes meaningful information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborating on

Focuses on expanding an existing point rather than just giving facts.

going into depth

Suggests a more thorough and profound exploration of the topic.

providing specifics

Emphasizes giving precise and concrete information.

explaining at length

Indicates a comprehensive and extended description.

specifying elements

Highlights the act of pointing out or naming particular items.

offering insights

Highlights imparting understanding and deeper knowledge.

outlining aspects

Concentrates on delineating and presenting different parts or features.

laying out the particulars

Suggests a careful and organized presentation of all relevant details.

itemizing features

Implies creating a list with specific characteristics.

presenting the fine points

Emphasizes the inclusion of subtle but crucial aspects.

FAQs

How is "detailing" typically used in a sentence?

The term "detailing" often functions as a verb, referring to the act of providing specific information or describing something thoroughly. For example, "The report is "detailing" the project's progress."

What are some alternatives to using "detailing" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "elaborating on", "providing specifics", or "offering insights". These alternatives can help add nuance to your writing.

What is the difference between "describing" and "detailing"?

"Describing" generally means giving a basic account, while "detailing" implies providing a more thorough and comprehensive account, often including specific facts and figures. "Detailing" goes beyond simple description.

Is it appropriate to use "detailing" in formal writing?

Yes, "detailing" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when you need to provide a comprehensive and thorough explanation. It helps to ensure clarity and precision in your writing, especially in reports or academic papers.