elaborate on it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elaborate on it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to answer a question more completely or in greater detail. For example, you could say: "Can you tell me what happened? Elaborate on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Once your Clan has taken off and you're an old pro at role playing you can elaborate on it by forming family trees of your Clan, and maybe even its own blog to further aid players who might be interested in joining it.

WikiHow

"I don't choose to elaborate on it anymore".

The New York Times

In all honestly, the first sentence of this article compelled me to elaborate on it.

The New York Times

"They take that information and elaborate on it wildly," Mr. Mansolillo said in court.

The New York Times

(A fact so well known that I would be tedious to elaborate on it).

The New Yorker

"I can't really elaborate on it because I don't want to give too much information away".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

He said many such letters pass across his desk and he needed to review this one before elaborating on it.

The New York Times

The Sanguo zhi (Chapter 28, commentary), for example, reports that Zhong Hui (225 264), who rivaled Wang Bi as one of the brightest intellectual stars of the age, and others all elaborated on it.

SEP

He cut it up, elaborated on it.

The New Yorker

Rather than dispel the cartoon-character feel of this epic battle, Doudna elaborates on it.

Nature

One that it does not break with the Umayyads, but rather, to some extent, elaborates on it.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "elaborate on it", be specific about which aspect you want more detail on to guide their response effectively.

Common error

Don't just say "Elaborate on it" without providing context. Ensure the person knows what specific point needs further explanation to avoid unfocused or irrelevant details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elaborate on it" functions as an imperative request, prompting someone to provide additional details or explanation on a previously mentioned subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it seeks a more complete answer. The examples show it used in diverse contexts, from news to academic discussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elaborate on it" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves as a direct request for more detail or explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate in various contexts, though primarily found in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide context to guide the speaker or writer toward the specific aspects requiring further clarification. Alternatives like "expand upon it" or "go into detail about it" can be used to convey similar meanings. Remember to avoid vagueness to ensure a focused and relevant response. This phrase functions as an imperative, seeking deeper understanding and promoting more comprehensive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expand upon it

Focuses on adding more content and breadth to the subject.

go into detail about it

Emphasizes a deeper exploration of specific aspects.

provide more information on it

Highlights the act of supplying additional data.

explain it further

Stresses clarification and making something more understandable.

offer a fuller account of it

Suggests a comprehensive and complete narrative.

shed more light on it

Implies revealing or clarifying something previously obscure.

give a detailed explanation of it

Highlights the provision of a thorough and comprehensive explanation.

add more color to it

Emphasizes making something more vivid and interesting with details.

flesh it out

Suggests adding substance and detail to make something more complete.

amplify it

Focuses on increasing the intensity or impact of the information.

FAQs

How to use "elaborate on it" in a sentence?

You can use "elaborate on it" when you want someone to provide more details about a particular topic or statement. For example, "That's an interesting point; can you "elaborate on it"?"

What can I say instead of "elaborate on it"?

You can use alternatives like "expand upon it", "go into detail about it", or "provide more information on it" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can you elaborate more on it"?

While understandable, it's more concise and grammatically preferred to simply say "can you "elaborate on it"?" The word "elaborate" already implies providing more detail.

What is the difference between "elaborate on it" and "explain it"?

"Explain it" generally seeks clarification, while ""elaborate on it"" requests a more in-depth and detailed account. You "explain" something to make it understandable, and you "elaborate" to enrich the understanding with more information.