enlarge upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"enlarge upon" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to mean explain something in more detail. For example, "The teacher asked the student to enlarge upon her answer to the question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I would gladly enlarge upon the subject were I able to do it justice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tim would enlarge upon these ideas in "Infidel," his book about Afghanistan.

The New York Times

DEEPER AND WIDER Other shows enlarge upon the different aspects of the Getty show with visionary force.

The New York Times - Arts

Vi, an ex-hairdresser, is the most vituperative and has a criminal past it would be a pity to enlarge upon.

The Guardian

I would simply mention it, in an interdisciplinary vein, and encourage students to ask their social science teacher to enlarge upon the idea.

The New York Times

The modern historian of this war is in much the same position as the ancient: he cannot do much more than translate, abridge, or enlarge upon Thucydides.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The leader writers enlarged upon the topic.

The Guardian

Green's political philosophy enlarged upon his ethical system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However limited these have been, they enlarged upon those that Christians inherited from Judaism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This notion was enlarged upon by George Santayana in Interpretations of Poetry and Religion (1900).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this final volume, covering 1915-39, Foster has practiced this method less strictly, while enlarging upon its significance.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enlarge upon" when you want to signal that you will provide more in-depth information or analysis on a particular point. For example, in academic writing or technical documentation, this phrase can effectively introduce a detailed explanation.

Common error

While "enlarge upon" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or overly formal. Vary your language by using synonyms like "elaborate on" or "expand upon" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enlarge upon" functions as a phrasal verb used to indicate that someone will provide a more detailed explanation or discussion of a particular subject. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples where the phrase introduces additional information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enlarge upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrasal verb that means to provide a more detailed explanation or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, indicating a neutral to formal register. While the phrase is useful, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "expand upon" or "elaborate on" for variety. Remember to use "enlarge upon" to signal that you will delve deeper into a topic, providing readers with a more comprehensive understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expand upon

Focuses on broadening the scope or detail of something.

Elaborate on

Highlights the act of adding more information and detail.

Detail further

Emphasizes providing more specific information.

Go into more detail

Directly indicates the addition of more specific information.

Expound on

Implies a more thorough and scholarly explanation.

Amplify

Suggests increasing the intensity or importance of a topic.

Clarify further

Concentrates on making something easier to understand with added detail.

Develop further

Focuses on advancing or growing an idea with more information.

Provide more context

Highlights adding background or situational information.

Illustrate further

Emphasizes using examples or visuals to add more clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "enlarge upon" in a sentence?

You can use "enlarge upon" to indicate that you will provide more detail or explanation about a specific topic. For example, "The professor will now "enlarge upon" the historical context of the novel."

What are some alternatives to "enlarge upon"?

Alternatives to "enlarge upon" include "expand upon", "elaborate on", or "go into more detail". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "enlarge on" grammatically correct instead of "enlarge upon"?

While "enlarge upon" is the more common and traditionally accepted form, "enlarge on" is occasionally used, though it is less formal and less frequent. Stick to "enlarge upon" for formal writing.

What is the difference between "enlarge upon" and "elaborate on"?

"Enlarge upon" generally means to add more information or detail, while "elaborate on" suggests developing the idea more fully. They are often interchangeable, but ""elaborate on"" may imply a more thorough development of the topic.