expand the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand the idea" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to provide more details or explanation about a particular concept or thought. It is often used in academic or professional writing to encourage the reader to delve deeper into a topic or to present a more thorough explanation. Example: "The initial proposal was well-received, but the committee requested that the author expand on their idea to better understand its implications on the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Why not expand the idea?

The New York Times

The developer hoped to expand the idea across the country.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cassell sees Amy and Nicole's cases as a route to expand the idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

These results also expand the idea of model-based decision processes to the social domain.

University of California, Berkeley

Nutrigenomics would expand the idea of personalized care into the consumer world.

The New York Times - Health

"We knew we had something, so we thought we'd expand the idea.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

In the current paper, I expand the ideas presented in the earlier papers and present an alternative mathematical model in the form of a Gaussian model for the results of sensing presented earlier in Niazi and Hussain (2011a).

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

"He kept expanding the idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

Schumpeter further expanded the idea of productivity increases.

The Economist

Mr. Ensher later expanded the idea to include sharing information from unarmed drone flights.

The New York Times

The exhibition is guilty, then, of expanding the idea of the school precisely, it seems, to include the women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand the idea", consider providing specific examples or evidence to support your elaboration. This makes your explanation clearer and more convincing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you will "expand the idea" without actually providing more detail. Ensure you add substance and clarity to the original concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand the idea" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action to be performed on a concept or thought. As Ludwig AI explains, it signals a desire to provide more details or explanation about something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expand the idea" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that signals the intention to provide a more detailed explanation or broader understanding of a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse writing contexts. It is particularly common in news, academic, and scientific sources. To use it effectively, ensure you provide specific examples and avoid simply stating your intent without adding substantial details. Consider using synonyms like "extend the concept" or "elaborate on the thought" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend the concept

Focuses on making the concept reach further.

develop the notion

Highlights the progression and refinement of the idea.

elaborate on the thought

Emphasizes adding details and clarification to the thought.

broaden the perspective

Suggests widening the scope and viewpoint of the initial idea.

flesh out the proposal

Implies adding substance and completeness to the proposal.

deepen the understanding

Focuses on improving comprehension of the idea.

amplify the vision

Suggests making the vision more powerful and impactful.

augment the theory

Implies adding to the theory to improve its validity or scope.

enrich the theme

Emphasizes adding depth and richness to the theme.

unfold the concept

Suggests gradually revealing and developing the concept.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "expand the idea" in a sentence?

Use "expand the idea" to signal that you will provide a more detailed explanation or explore the implications of a concept. For example, "Let's "expand the idea" of remote work to consider its impact on employee well-being."

What are some alternatives to "expand the idea"?

You can use alternatives like "extend the concept", "elaborate on the thought", or "develop the notion" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "expand the idea" or "broaden the idea"?

While both are similar, "expand the idea" suggests adding detail and depth, while "broaden the idea" implies widening the scope or perspective. Choose the phrase that best fits your intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "expand the idea" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to elaborate on a topic, offer additional context, or explore different facets of a concept. It's useful in academic papers, reports, and any writing where thorough explanations are necessary.