expound

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "expound" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain something in detail or elaborate on it. Example sentence: The professor expounded on the complexity of the scientific concept.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seneca's advice is to assume that everything will go wrong, so when it does you don't get upset.Getting Seneca to expound on road rage, or Schopenhauer (another in the series) to advise on your love life, are no small accomplishments.

The Economist

He was expected to expound his views on foreign policy (and tap donations from wealthy expatriates).

The Economist

It was more concerned to attack the regime for its corruption than to expound the details of an Islamic republic.

The Economist

This was a subject he could expound on for hours, day or night, face to face, on the phone, or while devouring one of the five-alarm Korean stews he had acquired a taste for on his army service.

The Economist

The idea of minimum entitlements is not new, however, and many wonder whether, without statutory backing, they count as the "enforceable rights" they are sold as .Building Britain's Future", the grandiloquent title Mr Brown gave his plans, is hardly the bold vision he has been promising to expound since becoming prime minister two years ago.

The Economist

Voters can expect to hear him expound a lot more on both these points in the coming months.Mr Fogh Rasmussen was a fan of the single currency long before he became prime minister; he has never hidden his ambition to get Denmark to join.

The Economist

Bagehot reprises the cliché that Britain is a "medium-sized country in Europe" to expound a philosophy of post-imperial lowered expectations.

The Economist

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is steadily moving the lawful process forward.The Chinese government's white paper on Hong Kong did nothing more than expound long-standing policies.

The Economist

The evening after the disco- forum in Solola, as the fog drifting off Lake Atitlan enveloped the town of San Lucas Toliman, some 300 people gathered in a hangar-like hall to hear eight would-be mayors expound on their plans.

The Economist

Now his advisers say he likes to "expound on the fifth law of thermodynamics and why this is a metaphor for reinventing government".

The Economist

Several economists in Havana argue that Fidel, even while convalescent, has continued to slow the pace of change.The assumption is that the brothers have worked out a division of labour, in which Fidel will expound on global issues and let his brother govern.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expound" when you want to convey a sense of thoroughness and detail in your explanation. It's particularly effective in academic, formal, or persuasive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "expound" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound pretentious or overly academic in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expound" is as a verb. It typically functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object (e.g., "expound a theory"). According to Ludwig AI, this verb is correct and usable in written English, as shown through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "expound" is a valuable tool for detailed and thorough explanations, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is primarily transitive, and its communicative purpose is to provide comprehensive understanding, as evidenced by numerous examples in academic papers, encyclopedias, and news media. While it is commonly used, remember to consider formality; "expound" is best suited for formal and academic environments. Alternatives such as "elaborate on" or "explain in detail" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Remember that using "expound" effectively means choosing the right context to convey depth and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on

Focuses on adding details and complexity to an existing idea.

explain in detail

Highlights the thoroughness of the explanation.

discuss at length

Emphasizes the duration and depth of the discussion.

present a detailed account

Implies a structured and comprehensive presentation.

set forth

Suggests a formal and organized presentation of information.

flesh out

Indicates adding substance and detail to a basic framework.

dilate upon

Similar to elaborate, but can sometimes imply unnecessary length.

expand on

Focuses on broadening the scope and understanding of a topic.

interpret

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something.

clarify

Emphasizes making something easier to understand by removing ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "expound" in a sentence?

You can use "expound" when you want to explain something in detail or elaborate on it. For example, "The professor expounded on the theory of relativity."

What can I say instead of "expound"?

You can use alternatives like "elaborate on", "explain in detail", or "discuss at length" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "expound"?

"Expound" is appropriate in formal settings, such as academic papers, legal documents, or presentations where a thorough and detailed explanation is required.

What is the difference between "expound" and "explain"?

"Expound" implies a more detailed and thorough explanation than "explain". While "explain" simply means to make something clear, "expound" suggests a comprehensive and elaborate presentation of the subject matter.