elaborate on this

USAGE SUMMARY

"elaborate on this" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to provide further details or explanations about something. For example, "Can you elaborate on this new policy? I want to make sure I understand it completely."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will elaborate on this issue in the Discussion section.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Can you elaborate on this and how can we tell one from the other?

Huffington Post

So, in my Tooling Up column this month, I will elaborate on this topic.

Science Magazine

I will elaborate on this.

Yale University

He's not keen to elaborate on this.

The Guardian

Neither Mr. Knowling nor Covad would elaborate on this decision.

The New York Times

This presentation will elaborate on this argument and give empirical illustrations.

Harvard University

Quotes from police officers, civil servants, and unhoused San Franciscans elaborate on this theme.

University of California, Berkeley

In the next month he would elaborate on this position by issuing the preliminary emancipation proclamation.

The New York Times

To elaborate on this point: "Bad medicine is what I need".

The New York Times - Arts

Let me elaborate on this….

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elaborate on this" when you need someone to provide a more detailed explanation of a specific point or idea they've already introduced. This helps ensure clarity and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "elaborate on this" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your requests for clarification with phrases like "could you clarify", "expand on", or "provide more detail" to maintain a natural flow in the conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elaborate on this" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to provide more details or a fuller explanation regarding a previously mentioned topic or statement. As Ludwig AI states, it is a common way to request further information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elaborate on this" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for requesting additional details or explanations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. The phrase functions as an imperative, serving the purpose of gaining deeper understanding. While its register is generally neutral, varying your vocabulary by incorporating alternatives like "expand on this" or "clarify this" can enhance your communication. Remember, its frequent use in reputable sources underscores its reliability in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expand on this

Focuses on adding more information or details.

Explain this further

Directly asks for a more detailed explanation.

Could you clarify this?

Requests a clearer and more understandable version.

Give more detail on this

Asks for additional specific information.

Provide additional context

Emphasizes the need for background information.

Say more about this

A more informal way to ask for elaboration.

Walk me through this

Implies a step-by-step explanation is needed.

Break this down for me

Suggests simplifying a complex topic.

Go into more depth

Requests a more thorough and profound explanation.

Shed some light on this

Emphasizes the need for clarification and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "elaborate on this" in a sentence?

You can use "elaborate on this" to ask someone to provide more details about a specific topic. For example, "You mentioned a new strategy; can you "elaborate on this"?"

What is a more formal alternative to "elaborate on this"?

In a formal setting, you might prefer phrases like "Could you "provide further details"?" or "Could you "expand on this"?" which convey the same request for more information in a more professional manner.

What's the difference between "elaborate on this" and "explain this further"?

"Elaborate on this" and "explain this further" are quite similar. "Elaborate" suggests adding more detail to something already mentioned, while "explain further" implies clarifying something that may not be fully understood.

Is it appropriate to use "elaborate on this" in academic writing?

While "elaborate on this" is generally used in spoken language, in academic writing, it's better to use more formal phrases such as "provide a detailed account" or "offer a more comprehensive explanation" to maintain a professional tone.