elaborate a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elaborate a bit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to explain something in greater detail. For example, you might say: "Can you elaborate a bit on what you mean by that?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Could you elaborate a bit on this?

The Guardian

Your comment on what we know about the connection between mental illness and violence gives me a chance to elaborate a bit more on that subject.

The New York Times

Q. Can you elaborate a bit more on the lack of correlation? A. After two or three years, your ability to perform at Google is completely unrelated to how you performed when you were in school, because the skills you required in college are very different.

The New York Times

Will you elaborate a bit?

Huffington Post

W&H: Can you elaborate a bit?

Huffington Post

But I thought I might elaborate a bit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Then on April 27th he elaborated a bit.

The Economist

(Steven Hayward elaborates a bit on this argument in his recent essay on conservatism's intellectual blind spots).

The New York Times

Elaborating a bit, Mr. Faucher said: "It's not going to be like it was in the late 1990's or 2000.

The New York Times

CG: Would you mind elaborating a bit further?

TechCrunch

He elaborated a bit to say that one of these features is internally called "Profiles".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elaborate a bit" when you want to politely request someone to provide more detailed information or clarification on a specific point. It's suitable for both spoken and written communication in various contexts.

Common error

While "elaborate a bit" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single conversation or piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "explain further" or "go into more detail" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elaborate a bit" functions primarily as a polite request for clarification or additional information. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with examples showing it used in interviews, articles, and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elaborate a bit" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for politely requesting more detail. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Remember to use it judiciously, varying your language to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "explain further" or "go into more detail" offer similar functionality. Ultimately, "elaborate a bit" serves as a useful tool for fostering clarity and deeper understanding in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain further

Focuses on providing a more detailed explanation.

go into more detail

Emphasizes adding more specific information.

expand on that

Suggests a broader exploration of the topic.

clarify further

Highlights the need for greater clarity.

provide more context

Asks for additional background information.

offer more insights

Seeks deeper understanding and perspectives.

shed more light on

Aims to illuminate the topic with more information.

give a fuller explanation

Requests a more complete account.

develop that idea

Focuses on the progression and unfolding of a specific concept.

talk more about it

A general request for more discussion on the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "elaborate a bit" in a sentence?

You can use "elaborate a bit" when you want to politely ask someone to give more details about something. For example: "Could you "elaborate a bit" on your previous statement?"

What is a more formal way to say "elaborate a bit"?

For a more formal approach, consider using phrases like "explain further" or "could you "provide more detail"?"

Is it okay to use "elaborate a bit" in professional emails?

Yes, "elaborate a bit" is generally acceptable in professional emails, especially when you have an existing rapport with the recipient. However, consider the context and audience. More formal requests might be better in certain situations.

What's the difference between "elaborate a bit" and "go into more detail"?

"Elaborate a bit" is a polite request for additional explanation, while "go into more detail" is a more direct way of asking for a more comprehensive explanation. The choice depends on the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing.