expound on that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expound on that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to elaborate or provide more details on a specific topic or statement. Example: "Could you expound on that point you made earlier about climate change?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I still can't believe I didn't ask him to expound on that.

The New Yorker

It affects the group, I won't expound on that".

The New York Times - Sports

"I didn't know his daddy was an ambassador, and to expound on that, I couldn't have cared less if I did".

The New York Times

Citing the vague tag line that describes "Eraserhead" as "a dream of dark and troubling things," Christie asks Lynch: "Would you like to expound on that a little?" "No," the filmmaker replies immediately, shaking his head and smiling.

The New Yorker

The latter is a purely normative exercise that lies outside the economist's professional competence, tempting though it may be for many economists to expound on that issue as well.

The New York Times

Greenblatt continued to expound on that approach in Shakespearean Negotiations: The Circulation of Social Energy in Renaissance England (1987)—in which he famously asserted his desire to "speak with the dead" authors he studied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But he sounded perfectly sincere expounding on that comment as he sat high above the stage of his London Palladium Theater, like a lord in the heavens of the upper balcony.

The New York Times

The term "qualia" comes from the Latin word that asks "what sort" or "what kind," but the project expounds on that definition in order to explore how an autonomous entity feels pain, sees color or hears music, explains Diosi.

Vice

Julia (9 25:26 PM): Tony Bennett's having a great night Julia (9 28 28 PM): I actually like Marcia's earrings, but the dress doesn't quite work Rachel (9 28 37 PM): We expounded on that at length in the pre-show red carpet liveblog.

Huffington Post

What he did not expound on is that the Mets do not necessarily see Reyes as the prototypical leadoff hitter.

The New York Times - Sports

The International Anticounterfeiting Coalition gave from $5,000 to $10,000 to seven colleges to offer a course (created in part by a public relations firm) that expounded on the evil of fake goods.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expound on that" when you want someone to provide a detailed explanation or elaborate on a previously mentioned topic. It's suitable for formal discussions or when seeking in-depth understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "expound on that" in casual conversations where simpler phrases like "explain that" or "tell me more" would be more appropriate. This phrase can sound overly formal in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expound on that" is as a phrasal verb requesting further explanation or detail. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it prompts a speaker to elaborate on a previously mentioned topic, inviting them to provide a more comprehensive account.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expound on that" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to request detailed explanation or elaboration. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage frequency is uncommon, appearing more often in News & Media and scientific contexts. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "explain that" or "tell me more" are more appropriate. Remember to use "expound on that" when you seek in-depth understanding and detailed information, especially in formal discussions. Related phrases include "elaborate on that", "expand on that", and "explain that further".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on that

Replaces "expound" with "elaborate", keeping the meaning of providing more detail.

expand on that

Uses "expand" instead of "expound", suggesting to broaden the discussion.

explain that further

Uses a more direct approach, asking for a clearer explanation.

go into more detail about that

Asks for a deeper dive into the specifics of the topic.

provide more context on that

Focuses on needing additional background information.

clarify that point

Asks for a clearer understanding of a specific point.

shed more light on that

Uses a metaphor to request more information.

offer further insights on that

Requests additional perspectives or understanding.

give a fuller account of that

Suggests a more complete explanation is needed.

talk more about that

A simpler, more casual way of asking for more information.

FAQs

What does "expound on that" mean?

"Expound on that" means to explain or present something in detail. It's often used when you want someone to elaborate on a particular point or idea.

How can I use "expound on that" in a sentence?

You might say, "Could you "expound on that" theory a bit more?" or "The professor "expounded on that" concept during the lecture."

What are some alternatives to "expound on that"?

Alternatives include "elaborate on that", "expand on that", or "explain that further". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "expound on that" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "expound on that" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Simpler phrases like "tell me more about that" or "can you explain that?" are often more suitable for informal conversations.