did not spell out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not spell out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was not clearly explained or detailed. Example: "The report was vague and did not spell out the necessary steps for implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The law did not spell out how to do so.

The New York Times

The company did not spell out its intentions.

The New York Times

Geithner did not spell out how the administration planned to accomplish those objectives.

Independent

The notice did not spell out what will determine whether someone is high risk.

The Washington Post

The affidavit did not spell out the connection between Mr. Parvaiz and Ms. Stephen.

The New York Times

In an interview with Bloomberg Television, he did not spell out what alterations he would seek.

The New York Times

But the firm did not spell out why it might be more expensive.

Independent

The letter writers, however, did not spell out what they thought what the answer should be.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Boucher did not spell out what action the United States expected to see.

The New York Times

Court filings did not spell out the dollar amount Manafort must give up.

The Washington Post

The new law did not spell out how the tax would be applied and collected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not spell out", consider whether a more precise term like "did not specify" or "did not detail" might better convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "did not spell out". Instead of "The details were not spelled out by the committee", try "The committee did not spell out the details" for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not spell out" functions as a verb phrase that indicates a lack of explicit explanation or detailed information. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples show it consistently used to highlight omissions of specifics in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not spell out" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies a lack of explicit detail or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively highlights omissions and areas requiring further clarification. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, consider whether synonyms like "did not specify" or "did not detail" might offer greater precision, and be mindful of avoiding passive voice for stronger, more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not specify

Focuses on the absence of a precise statement or instruction.

did not detail

Highlights the lack of comprehensive information provided.

did not clarify

Emphasizes the failure to make something clearer or more understandable.

did not elaborate

Suggests a lack of further explanation or expansion on a topic.

did not define

Indicates the absence of a clear definition or boundary.

did not enumerate

Implies a failure to list items or points individually.

left unsaid

Emphasizes that something was intentionally or unintentionally not expressed.

omitted the specifics

Highlights the exclusion of particular details from a description or account.

glossed over

Indicates a superficial treatment, avoiding detailed examination.

remained vague about

Highlights that information was lacking specificity.

FAQs

What does "did not spell out" mean?

The phrase "did not spell out" means that something was not explained clearly, explicitly, or in detail. It suggests that specifics were missing or deliberately omitted.

How can I use "did not spell out" in a sentence?

You can use "did not spell out" to indicate that someone or something failed to provide complete information. For example, "The contract "did not specify" the payment terms."

What are some alternatives to "did not spell out"?

Alternatives include "did not specify", "did not detail", "did not clarify", or "did not elaborate" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "did not spell out" or "did not explain"?

"Did not spell out" implies a lack of specific details, while "did not explain" suggests a general lack of clarity. The best choice depends on whether the issue is missing details or a lack of overall understanding.