elaborate reply

USAGE SUMMARY

'elaborate reply' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lengthy and detailed response to a question or statement. For example: "I asked him to explain his opinion on the subject, and he gave me an elaborate reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He gave an elaborate reply making it seem like a holy mission.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He has said he demonstrated against the Pinochet regime but when asked to elaborate replied enigmatically: "Chile was complicated and so was I".

Independent

The resolution might only be a statement about whether the sophism is true or false; then, more elaborate replies to objections to the master's view might be discussed.

SEP

According to Webb's model (Webb, 1989), students were expected to ask questions that might elicit elaborate replies in order to enhance achievement.

CBE Life Sciences Education

He would not elaborate, but replied with another "yes" when asked whether the militia was the Mehdi Army, a key Shia lslamic player in the sectarian war that was ravaging Baghdad at the time.

The Guardian

But before I could elaborate, he replied in obvious relief, "I'm so glad, because I can't imagine what you could do in a job for 40 hours!" He was shocked when I informed him that there would be plenty to do for 40 hours, and that the reality was that he would more likely be working 50 or 60 hours per week when he began his career.

Huffington Post

Asked to elaborate, Mr. Seroy replied: "I'm not going to go into detail on that.

The New York Times

But he said she had won his support after he wrote to her office and he received a reply elaborating on her policies.

The New York Times

Users send a text message to a special number, are charged accordingly, and have the content delivered in the form of a text-message reply.More elaborate is a model sometimes called "reverse billing", in which services are charged directly to the user's phone bill.

The Economist

"Yes", he replies, refusing to elaborate.

The Guardian

Asked if he could elaborate on his comment, Gatland replied: "No".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elaborate reply" when you want to emphasize that a response was not just an answer, but a carefully constructed and detailed explanation. Consider the audience; an elaborate reply might be appreciated in academic settings but could be overwhelming in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "elaborate reply" in informal conversations or situations where a simple answer is sufficient. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elaborate reply" is that of a noun phrase, where the adjective "elaborate" modifies the noun "reply". Ludwig confirms this usage with several examples where the phrase describes a detailed or comprehensive response.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elaborate reply" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a detailed and comprehensive response. While Ludwig indicates its usage is rare, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider the audience and context, as it may sound overly formal in casual settings. Alternatives such as "detailed response" or "thorough explanation" might be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detailed response

Replaces "elaborate" with "detailed", focusing on the thoroughness of the reply.

comprehensive answer

Substitutes both words, emphasizing the completeness of the answer.

thorough explanation

Replaces "reply" with "explanation", highlighting the clarifying aspect.

extensive response

Uses "extensive" instead of "elaborate", indicating a wide-ranging answer.

in-depth answer

Highlights the depth and detail provided in the answer.

articulate reply

Highlights the clarity and effectiveness of the communication.

lengthy response

Focuses on the extended length of the reply.

verbose answer

Emphasizes the use of many words in the answer, possibly suggesting unnecessary detail.

wordy response

Similar to "verbose", but can imply excessive or unnecessary wording.

complex response

Indicates the reply is intricate and potentially difficult to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "elaborate reply" to describe a detailed and comprehensive response. For example, "The professor gave an elaborate reply to the student's question."

What can I say instead of "elaborate reply"?

You can use alternatives like "detailed response", "comprehensive answer", or "thorough explanation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "elaborate reply" or "elaborated reply"?

"Elaborate reply" is the correct phrasing. "Elaborated reply" isn't standard usage; instead, use "elaborate" as an adjective describing the noun "reply".

When is it appropriate to give an "elaborate reply"?

An "elaborate reply" is appropriate when a question requires a thorough and detailed answer, such as in academic discussions, formal presentations, or when addressing complex issues.