elaborate that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elaborate that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to invite the speaker to provide more information about a topic. For example: "The speaker mentioned several key points about the new policy. Could you elaborate that for us?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She also said Yahoo was exploring "strategic alternatives". Although she didn't elaborate, that often means a company is looking to sell itself.

Los Angeles Times

You don't want something elaborate that will go out of date quickly when the person who set it up goes off to college.

WikiHow

But I'm not going to explain or elaborate that.

Yale University

"Better to have something simple than something elaborate that doesn't look good".

The New Yorker

Some golfers' graffiti are so elaborate that they resemble spiderwebs festooned with Christmas ornaments.

The New Yorker

Some elaborate that she's "so smart", that she's "making such a difference" – both evidently true.

The Guardian

Some of the logistical difficulties involved in building Hinkley Point C are so elaborate that they resemble satire.

The Guardian

The texture of the narrative is so elaborate that Ms. Livesey seems almost to be playing literary games.

The New York Times - Books

I neglected to elaborate that I was two years old and crying in the closet at the time.

The Guardian - Opinion

The current study was designed to further elaborate that finding using an improved paradigm in which stimulus duration was uncoupled from testing experience and learning effects.

Brain Research

The ceremony was so elaborate that Ms. Ly did not even refer to it as an "elopement" but rather "a wedding for two".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elaborate that" to politely request more information or clarification on a specific point that has already been introduced. It implies you're seeking a deeper understanding.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying heavily on "elaborate that" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "explain further" or "provide more detail" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elaborate that" functions as a request for further information or clarification. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and used to invite a speaker to provide more information on a topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "elaborate that" is a grammatically sound way to request further information or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and its purpose of inviting someone to expand on a topic. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears in a range of reputable sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and academic texts. It is most appropriate in contexts where a neutral, polite, and direct request for additional details is warranted. While "elaborate that" has its place, varying your phrasing with alternatives can improve your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain that further

This alternative directly requests additional explanation.

provide more detail on that

This phrase focuses on the act of providing specific details.

go into more detail about that

This suggests a deeper exploration of the topic.

expand on that point

This is more concise and focuses on expanding a specific point.

can you clarify that

This requests clarification, implying a need for better understanding.

shed more light on that

This is a more figurative way of asking for clarification.

offer further insight into that

This suggests a deeper understanding or perspective is needed.

give a more comprehensive account of that

This asks for a complete and thorough explanation.

tell me more about that

A simple and direct way to request more information.

clarify the details of that

This emphasizes the need for clear and precise details.

FAQs

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

You can use "elaborate that" to ask someone to provide more details about something they've already mentioned. For example, "The report mentioned budget cuts; could you "elaborate that"?"

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "provide additional clarification on that" or "offer a more detailed explanation of that".

When is it inappropriate to use "elaborate that"?

Avoid using "elaborate that" in situations where a simpler, more direct question would suffice. For instance, if you need a quick yes or no answer, a request to "elaborate that" would be unnecessarily verbose.

What can I say instead of "elaborate that"?

You can use alternatives like "explain that further", "provide more detail on that", or "go into more detail about that" depending on the specific context.