expanded upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expanded upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a topic or idea has been elaborated or developed further. Example: "The author expanded upon the initial theory in the subsequent chapters, providing more detailed evidence and analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nicholas expanded upon the same theme.

The New Yorker

This tournament replaced and expanded upon the quadrennial World Team Olympiad, which began in 1960.

The New York Times

Only recently, with more advanced laboratory techniques, has this role been definitively established and expanded upon.

The New York Times - Health

Several hours later, Colonel Rossi expanded upon the story slightly in speaking to reporters.

The New York Times

It was a radical idea, one that Waters sustained, expanded upon, and brought into the mainstream.

The New Yorker

Motifs in horizontal lifts and kneeling positions are set out, to be expanded upon.

The New York Times - Arts

This theme is expanded upon in Thomas's new memoir, "My Grandfather's Son" (Harper; $26.95).

The New Yorker

Ms. Rousseff expanded upon proposals she unveiled on Friday in a nationally televised address.

The New York Times

The 30-page report, which expanded upon a briefing last week by the chief investigator, Brig.

The New York Times

Now Booth, using today's technology, has expanded upon Worthington's and Edgerton's innovations.

The New York Times

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expanded upon" when you want to show how an initial idea, concept, or statement was developed with more details, examples, or explanations.

Common error

Don't use "expanded upon" when a simple explanation or clarification would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound verbose. Choose simpler alternatives like "explained" or "detailed" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expanded upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of providing more details, context, or explanation to an existing idea or topic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to elaborate or develop something further.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expanded upon" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the elaboration or development of an idea, topic, or statement. As per Ludwig, it functions to provide more details and context. It's frequently used in news, science, and wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While highly versatile, avoid redundancy by using simpler alternatives when appropriate. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread use and acceptability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborated on

Focuses on adding more details and information.

developed further

Emphasizes the progression and evolution of an idea.

expounded on

Suggests a more formal and detailed explanation.

detailed

Implies providing a comprehensive account.

amplified

Focuses on increasing the intensity or significance.

augmented

Highlights the addition of something to improve or enhance.

extended

Focuses on increasing the scope or reach.

built upon

Suggests using an existing foundation to create something more complex.

enhanced

Highlights the improvement of quality or value.

supplemented

Implies adding extra information to complete or support something.

FAQs

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

You can use "expanded upon" to indicate that something has been developed in greater detail. For example, "The author "elaborated on" the initial theory in the subsequent chapters".

What are some alternatives to "expanded upon"?

You can use alternatives such as ""elaborated on"", "developed further", or "expounded on" depending on the context.

Is "expanded upon" formal or informal?

"Expanded upon" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like ""elaborated on"" or "expounded on" might be preferred in more formal writing.

What's the difference between "expanded upon" and "explained"?

"Expanded upon" suggests a more thorough and detailed development of an idea, while "explained" simply means to make something understandable. Use "expanded upon" when you've added significant details or insights beyond a basic explanation.