do not elaborate

USAGE SUMMARY

"do not elaborate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to be succinct in their explanation or description of something. For example, " Please do not elaborate; I need just the basic facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Do not elaborate.

The New York Times

"Do not question, do not elaborate," it warned, on an internal notice.

The New Yorker

The records do not elaborate on the reason for dropping the case, but two attorneys handling the case were recently ruled ineligible to practice law in California.

The Guardian - Music

The authors do not elaborate their expectations - as far as I have noticed, they never say "Well, you wouldn't have understood that aspect of Greek astronomy if you hadn't learned about this aspect of Chinese astronomy".

The Guardian - Books

Traditionally, the Edgar awards judges do not elaborate on the reasons for their choices, but the Guardian's review found that it was "a bold, artful and globally minded reimagining of the Vietnam war and its interwoven private and public legacies".

The Guardian - Books

We do not elaborate, because the construction is simple.

Latin American Economic Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

They don't elaborate or ramble particularly.

The New Yorker

"I don't elaborate on that much.

Independent

Don't elaborate.

WikiHow

He does not elaborate.

The New York Times - Sports

Facebook did not elaborate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not elaborate" when you need to steer a conversation towards brevity, especially when time is limited or the core information is sufficient. For example, in a fast-paced meeting, you might say, "Please, do not elaborate; let's stick to the key points to keep us on schedule."

Common error

While "do not elaborate" is generally acceptable, it can sound too direct or even dismissive in formal contexts. Opt for phrases like "please be concise" or "a brief summary will suffice" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not elaborate" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to avoid providing excessive details or expanding on a particular point. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It sets a boundary for the scope of the response or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not elaborate" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that functions as an imperative, instructing someone to be brief and avoid providing unnecessary details. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives like "please be concise" may be preferable in professional or academic settings. Common usage patterns show its prevalence in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the audience and adjust the phrasing to maintain a respectful and appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it brief

Emphasizes the need for a short and concise explanation.

be succinct

Focuses on expressing something clearly and briefly.

don't go into detail

Directly advises against providing excessive details.

skip the details

Indicates that the details are unnecessary and should be omitted.

get to the point

Highlights the importance of directness and avoiding unnecessary information.

be concise

Suggests expressing much in few words.

cut to the chase

Implies bypassing introductory or unnecessary content.

summarize briefly

Requests a short summary without unnecessary information.

stick to the essentials

Advises focusing only on the most important aspects.

give me the highlights

Asks for the most important or interesting parts only.

FAQs

How can I use "do not elaborate" in a sentence?

You can use "do not elaborate" to request someone to be brief and avoid unnecessary details. For example, "Do not elaborate on the reasons for your absence, just provide the dates".

What's a more formal way to say "do not elaborate"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "please be concise" or "a brief summary will suffice". These alternatives are more polite while conveying the same message.

When is it appropriate to use "do not elaborate"?

"Do not elaborate" is suitable when you need information quickly and extra details are unnecessary. It's often used in scenarios where time is limited or the core information is adequate.

What are some alternatives to "do not elaborate"?

Alternatives include "keep it brief", "be succinct", or "get to the point depending" on the situation. These phrases all convey the need for conciseness.