expand on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to provide more details or elaborate further on a specific topic or idea. Example: "Could you please expand on your proposal during the meeting so we can better understand your vision?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If you wish to in any way clarify or expand on something or say that you said – something in the heat of the moment but you no longer think it?' "And he looked me in the eye and said, 'That's what I said.' So there's no controversy about that.

The Guardian

"I mean, Henry wants to just expand on something," he said.

Huffington Post

You can even expand on something you started, and make it something else.

WikiHow

You can go back and clarify a point that may have been confusing, cut short the description of a subplot if the producer looks bored, and expand on something that has piqued the producer's interest.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A brief thought on something I'll try to expand on later.

The New York Times

"This was a tradition I was going to expand on, not something out of the blue".

The New York Times - Magazine

I think we're on to something here, so I ask him to expand.

The Guardian - Film

Dr. Redlener and Columbia officials say they plan to find private financing to expand on that base and create something more ambitious, akin to the disaster policy programs at a handful of universities, like Johns Hopkins and Minnesota.

The New York Times

Charles Aaron of Spin felt that the comparisons to Rakim "will be more deserved" if Nas can expand on his ruminative lyrics with "something more personally revealing".

Wikipedia

"I had said to the commission beforehand, if a follow-up is required or I think there's something we can expand on the answer, I'm going to ask that question.

The New Yorker

He added astronauts to expand on the space theme and give players something to defend while they shot enemies.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand on something", ensure you have a clear understanding of the initial topic. This allows you to provide relevant and meaningful details, enhancing clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid expanding on a topic without a specific focus. Rambling or providing irrelevant details can confuse your audience and dilute the main message. Always have a clear objective when elaborating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand on something" functions primarily as a phrasal verb used to request or offer further details or clarification on a specific topic. This is supported by Ludwig which indicates its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expand on something" serves as a versatile phrasal verb utilized to solicit or offer detailed insights on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and contextual relevance across a spectrum of sources, including news outlets, wikis, and scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When seeking alternatives, consider options like ""elaborate on something"" or "go into more detail" to effectively convey the intent of further explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on something

Replaces "expand" with "elaborate", offering a slightly more formal tone, but maintaining the core meaning of providing further detail.

detail something further

Focuses on adding more specific details, shifting the emphasis slightly from general expansion to concrete information.

go into more detail about something

This alternative is slightly more verbose but emphasizes the act of exploring the topic with increased granularity.

develop something further

Suggests a more active role in building upon the initial idea, implying a degree of evolution or advancement.

add more information on something

This alternative focuses on supplementing the existing knowledge with additional facts or data.

provide further explanation of something

This alternative is very explicit about giving an explanation.

amplify something

This alternative suggests an increase in intensity or impact, rather than just detail.

extend something

Implies lengthening or widening the scope of the subject matter, rather than necessarily adding detail.

supplement something with details

This alternative emphasizes adding information to make something more complete.

enlarge upon something

Replaces "expand" with "enlarge", but maintains the core meaning of providing further detail.

FAQs

How can I use "expand on something" in a sentence?

You can use "expand on something" when you want to provide more details or elaborate further on a specific topic or idea. For example, "Could you please "elaborate on" your proposal during the meeting so we can better understand your vision?"

What are some alternatives to "expand on something"?

Some alternatives to "expand on something" include "elaborate on something", "go into more detail about something", or "develop something further", depending on the context.

Is it better to "expand on something" or "elaborate on something"?

Both "expand on something" and ""elaborate on something"" are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Elaborate" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

When should I use "expand on something" instead of just giving a summary?

Use "expand on something" when your audience needs a deeper understanding, more specific details, or a clearer explanation than a summary can provide. It's appropriate when further "development" is required for clarity or completeness.