enlighten on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enlighten on something" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "enlighten someone about something" or "enlighten someone on something." Example: "Could you enlighten me on the topic of renewable energy sources?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Journalist Soledad O'Brien aims to enlighten on 'Dream School'.

Los Angeles Times

Promoters were analyzed and enlighten on the connections between transcription factors and chromatin remodeling factors.

BMC Genomics

I have a simple litmus test for whether a question is in bounds: Does it enlighten the reader on something germane, illuminate something meaningful about the public figure, or inform about some matter of compelling public interest?

Princeton University

Are you writing this paper in order to persuade, entertain, enlighten, or something else?

WikiHow

Viewers were enlightened on the first episode when Rotiart, a dubious-looking superhero wearing something like chain mail, turned out to be a plant by the program's godhead, Stan Lee.

The New York Times - Arts

This article was enlightening on many levels.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sadly, not everyone has been so enlightened on this issue.

The New York Times - Arts

It can help to make sure children are confident about speaking and enlightened on world matters.

The Guardian

Cingular is far more enlightened on that front.

Forbes

We were certainly not more enlightened on gender matters then.

Huffington Post

She enlightened on the benefits of bike lanes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "enlighten on something". Instead, use "enlighten someone about something" or "enlighten someone on a topic" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

The preposition "on" typically requires a direct object specifying the recipient of the enlightening. Using "enlighten on something" without specifying who is being enlightened leads to grammatical errors. Always specify who is being enlightened, such as in "enlighten me on the matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enlighten on something" functions as an incorrect attempt to use the verb "enlighten" with a preposition. Standard usage requires specifying the recipient of the enlightening. Ludwig AI indicates this is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enlighten on something" is grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, standard English requires specifying who is being enlightened, using constructions like "enlighten someone about something" or "enlighten someone on a topic". This error undermines clarity and is best avoided, particularly in formal and professional contexts. More appropriate alternatives include "enlighten someone about something", "shed light on something", and "clarify something for someone". Therefore, it is advisable to replace "enlighten on something" with grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enlighten someone about something

This alternative uses "about" instead of "on", correcting the grammatical structure.

shed light on something

This is an idiomatic alternative that means to clarify or explain something.

clarify something for someone

This alternative uses the verb "clarify" instead of "enlighten", and uses "for" to connect to the person receiving the clarification.

inform someone about something

This uses "inform" as a more general term for providing knowledge.

educate someone about something

This suggests a more formal or in-depth imparting of knowledge.

explain something to someone

This alternative is a straightforward way to offer clarification.

give insight into something

This phrase conveys providing a deeper understanding.

elucidate something for someone

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "elucidate", to mean to make clear.

offer an explanation of something

This focuses on providing a detailed account or reason.

provide clarification on something

This uses a noun form, "clarification", to emphasize the act of making something clearer.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "enlighten" in a sentence?

The verb "enlighten" typically requires a direct object (the person being enlightened). You can say "enlighten someone about something" or "enlighten someone on a topic". For example, "Could you "enlighten me on this matter"?"

Is it grammatically correct to say "enlighten on something"?

No, the phrase "enlighten on something" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage involves specifying who is being enlightened, such as "enlighten someone about something" or "enlighten someone on a topic".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "enlighten on something"?

Instead of "enlighten on something", you can use phrases like "enlighten someone about something", "shed light on something", or "clarify something for someone".

What is the difference between "enlighten on" and "enlighten about"?

"Enlighten on" is not grammatically standard. The correct form is to use "enlighten about", as in "enlighten someone about a topic", or "enlighten someone on a topic".