elaborate slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elaborate slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide a bit more detail or clarification on a topic without going into extensive depth. Example: "Could you elaborate slightly on your main argument to help me understand it better?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Dr. Warren wasn't about to reveal that sequence before Sunday's race, but he did elaborate slightly about the knack for finding good air when you are behind or alongside another car.

The New York Times - Science

You can elaborate slightly on your question, but if you go paragraph-after-paragraph on one single subject, that's just too much.

WikiHow

It's an elaborate, slightly twee conceit, but now there's another place to eat roasted oysters, and many of the other throwback preparations are also surprisingly delicious.

The New Yorker

The whole thing feels like an elaborate, slightly sophisticated take on the dumb blond joke.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This scenario, which I have elaborated slightly, is known as the Chinese Room.

The New York Times

He then elaborated slightly: "The answer is you just don't know.

Independent

Separated by blackouts, each sequence elaborates slightly on small gestures and other themes and knits them tighter into the fabric of bodies wheeling, circling and swinging, at momentary rest and in lifts whose shapes add to an already handsome stage picture.

The New York Times - Arts

"In whatever walk of life, when you get the opportunity to consider something, it is important that you take the time to consider it and we felt, the chairman and I, that was what was necessary to do over those 48 hours". McInnes elaborated slightly on his statement to Aberdeen's website explaining his decision to extend his stay at Pittodrie.

BBC

Gaius also elaborates slightly on what constitutes manifest theft.

Wikipedia

Mr. McCain's doctors elaborated only slightly in the conference call on previously released details about the senator's cancer surgery.

The New York Times

At the interview, I elaborate ever so slightly on my job experience, making it look as though I've been a secretary for the last 15 years, which of course is not true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elaborate slightly", ensure that the additional information you provide is concise and directly relevant to the topic. Avoid unnecessary details that may dilute the main point.

Common error

Avoid turning "elaborate slightly" into a lengthy explanation. The key is to keep the additional details brief and to the point. If you find yourself writing paragraphs, it's likely you're over-elaborating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elaborate slightly" functions as a request or an instruction to provide additional, but not extensive, information. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a need for a bit more detail or clarification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elaborate slightly" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to ask for or offer a small degree of additional detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news, media, and wiki contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "provide additional details" may be more appropriate. Use it judiciously to add clarity without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

add a little more detail

Focuses on the act of supplementing information.

expand a bit

Highlights the act of making something larger or more extensive in scope.

provide a bit more context

Emphasizes giving background information.

offer a few more specifics

Stresses the inclusion of concrete details.

go into a little more detail

Similar to "add a little more detail" but more verbose.

clarify briefly

Focuses on making something clearer in a concise manner.

explain briefly

Emphasizes a short explanation.

develop slightly

Highlights the development of an idea or concept.

amplify marginally

More formal and stresses a small increase in detail.

touch on it a little further

Focuses on adding a small amount to existing information.

FAQs

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

You can use "elaborate slightly" to politely request someone to provide a bit more information. For example, "Could you "elaborate slightly" on your findings?"

What's a more formal alternative to "elaborate slightly"?

A more formal alternative would be "Could you "provide additional details"" or "Could you "expand on that point"?"

Is "elaborate slightly" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "elaborate slightly" is suitable, but in formal academic writing, consider using phrases like "provide further clarification" or "offer more detail" for a more professional tone.

How does "elaborate slightly" differ from "explain in detail"?

"Elaborate slightly" implies a brief expansion, while "explain in detail" suggests a thorough and comprehensive explanation.