elaborate on that

USAGE SUMMARY

'elaborate on that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has just mentioned an idea and you would like them to explain it in more detail. For example, "My friend mentioned the possibility of us going on vacation together. Could you elaborate on that?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I'll elaborate on that.

Cornell University

Q. Can you elaborate on that last point?

The New York Times

The authorities will probably invite him to elaborate on that.

The Guardian - Sport

"You want to elaborate on that?" I asked.

The New York Times

Can you elaborate on that? A. First of all, my father was a doctor, an oncologist.

The New York Times

(He would not elaborate on that, either, to protect surprise effects).

The New York Times

"I might elaborate on that or I might just keep it as a personal experience," he said.

The Guardian

So let Mike elaborate on that.

Forbes

I asked her to elaborate on that when we sat down to chat.

TechCrunch

He refused to elaborate on that but added he initially wanted Welbeck on loan with an option to buy.

BBC

Can you elaborate on that, going in and out of the market, thinking people can do it on their own?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elaborate on that" in formal writing, consider whether a more specific request (e.g., "Please provide further details regarding...") might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "elaborate on that" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound too informal in highly professional or academic settings. Opt for phrases like "Could you provide further clarification?" or "Please expand on this point" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elaborate on that" functions as an imperative request. It prompts the speaker to provide a more detailed explanation of a previously mentioned idea or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to seek further clarification. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various conversational and interview settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

30%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "elaborate on that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to request further explanation or detail. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. It is commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, with a neutral to slightly informal register. While versatile, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings. Remember to use it when you need clarification or more in-depth information on a specific point. It is a direct way to encourage further expansion on a topic, contributing to clearer and more comprehensive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Can you explain further?

Asks for additional explanation, focusing on providing more clarity.

Could you provide more details?

Requests specific details to enhance understanding.

Can you go into more depth?

Suggests exploring the topic at a deeper, more comprehensive level.

Could you expand on that point?

Specifically targets a particular point for further explanation.

Tell me more about that

Encourages the speaker to share more information regarding a specific topic.

What do you mean by that?

Seeks clarification on the intended meaning behind a statement.

Please clarify your statement

A more formal request for a clearer explanation of a statement.

Can you give us more background?

Asks for contextual information to better understand the topic.

Explain that in more detail

Directly asks for a more detailed explanation.

Walk me through that

Invites a step-by-step explanation of a process or idea.

FAQs

How can I ask someone to explain further?

You can use phrases like "Could you "elaborate on that"?", "Can you explain further?", or "Could you provide more details?".

What's a more formal way to ask someone to elaborate?

Instead of ""elaborate on that"", you might say "Could you provide further clarification?" or "Please expand on this point" in a professional setting.

Is it okay to use ""elaborate on that"" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, ""elaborate on that"" may be too informal for academic writing. Consider using phrases like "Could you elaborate further?" or "Please provide a more detailed explanation".

What does ""elaborate on that"" mean?

It means to ask someone to provide more details or explanation about something they've mentioned. It's a request for further information to better understand a specific point.