expand upon it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand upon it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to provide more details or elaborate on a specific topic or idea. Example: "Could you please expand upon it and explain your reasoning in more detail?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The seeds of the next big thing are often located in the barely-noticed game that turns a few heads with a neat idea, and then other developers expand upon it and fix its problems.

TechCrunch

You have to think of something you want to say and expand upon it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Did Mr. Fareri just do what developers do, see an opportunity and expand upon it?

The New York Times

Mr. Iger did not dispel that notion, but he would not expand upon it, either.

The New York Times

In fact, the reasons to expand upon it make good business sense in a downturned economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

More intriguing are the increasing number of projects that transfer a film's sensibility to the Internet and expand upon it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Content on Giant Bomb is split between its small staff providing videos and written articles in a video game journalism editorial capacity and its community expanding upon it by creating and interacting with the website's tools and functions, namely a video game wiki-database, open to editing by all registered users in which they create content.

Wikipedia

Members approved a regional tariff preference scheme in 1984 and expanded upon it in 1987 and 1990.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A generation later Herodotus, from more extensive studies and wider travels, expanded upon it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He neither imitates nor ignores the Iranian visual lexicon, but rather makes it his own and expands upon it.

The Guardian

At whatever age your children start talking, let them know you are interested in what they are saying by repeating and expanding upon it and asking them to repeat what they said if at first you do not understand them.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand upon it", ensure that the context is clear, and the reader understands what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject you are elaborating on.

Common error

Avoid using "expand upon it" as filler. Ensure you're genuinely adding valuable details or new perspectives, not just restating the original point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand upon it" serves as a request for elaboration or further explanation. It functions as a verb phrase prompting the speaker or writer to provide additional details or insights about a previously mentioned topic, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expand upon it" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to request further details or elaboration on a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and general discussions. While it's a versatile phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly referencing the subject and adding valuable insights to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "elaborate on that" or "go into more detail" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on that

Replaces "expand" with "elaborate" maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

go into more detail about that

Offers a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the addition of further specifics.

provide more information on that

Focuses on the act of supplying additional data or facts.

develop that idea further

Suggests building upon an existing concept or thought.

flesh that out

Uses a more figurative expression for adding substance or detail.

add more substance to it

Indicates making something more complete or meaningful with extra content.

amplify that point

Implies increasing the importance or clarity of a specific idea.

offer a fuller explanation

Highlights giving a more complete and detailed account.

discuss that at greater length

Emphasizes spending more time and detail on a particular subject.

explore that in greater depth

Suggests investigating or analyzing something with a higher level of scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "expand upon it" in a sentence?

Use "expand upon it" when you want to ask someone to elaborate or provide more details about a specific topic. For example, "Could you please "expand upon it" and explain your reasoning?"

What are some alternatives to "expand upon it"?

You can use alternatives like "elaborate on it", "go into more detail", or "provide more information" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "expand upon" or "elaborate on"?

Both ""expand upon it"" and "elaborate on it" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What does it mean to "expand upon" an idea?

To ""expand upon it"" means to develop an idea more fully by adding details, explanations, or examples, making it more comprehensive and understandable.