expounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "expounded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean explain in detail, as in "My teacher expounded the principles of calculus to our class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chafee expounded his expertise on this subject, noting: "I happened to live in Canada as they completed the process.

The Guardian

Neither the company's chief executive/founder Leu Jun, nor any of its pronouncements, have expounded that strategy.

The Guardian - Tech

Miliband expounded on his views on foreign policy and warned that international rivalries and deteriorating relations between powerful countries such as the US and Russia were hampering international peace.

The Guardian

He first expounded his thinking about the firm in a lecture in Dundee in 1932, when he was just 21 years old.

The Economist

This hardline immigration policy, fostered by tough economic times, will make it increasingly difficult for the city to go on reinventing itself in the way it has done over the past 25 years.The maths of cities, as expounded by Geoffrey West, are not encouraging.

The Economist

These remarks came in the context of a rebuttal of the view expounded by Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Druze community and a fierce critic of Hizbullah, that Lebanon faced a choice between being a Hong Kong or a Hanoi.

The Economist

Admittedly, he expounded on the need for sweeping changes to the tax system, including raising the consumption tax.

The Economist

This expounded a tragic twin trajectory for the growth of human populations and the increase of food supply.

The Economist

He has expounded at length on the demise of many previous civilisations, and on the impending doom of China's current one at the hands of evil modern science and rampant immorality.

The Economist

Mr Crist has an explanation for why he did so, expounded in a campaign book called "The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat".

The Economist

In the documents the department expounded its view that the explosion at the rig that led to the spill is an example of "gross negligence", which if proved in court could leave BP facing a fine of up to $21 billion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expounded" when you want to convey a thorough and detailed explanation of a complex topic. It's particularly effective in academic or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "expounded" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler words like "explained" or "described" are often more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

Expounded functions as a verb, typically used in the past tense. It describes the action of explaining something methodically and in great detail. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across diverse subjects, from political views to scientific theories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expounded" is a verb used to describe a detailed and thorough explanation of a subject. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and best suited for formal contexts such as academic writing, news reports, and professional communications. While alternatives like "explained in detail" and "elaborated on" exist, "expounded" carries a nuance of formality and depth. The contexts in Ludwig's examples indicate a high usage in scientific and news media sources, reflecting its role in conveying complex information. Therefore, while you should use this term, remember to use it in the most suitable setting to convey formality, precision and depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explained in detail

This alternative breaks down "expounded" into simpler, more direct terms.

elaborated on

Focuses on expanding an idea with more information.

detailed

This refers to an alternative way of conveying thoroughness and comprehensiveness.

clarified

This alternative stresses making something easier to understand.

expanded upon

This one highlights the idea of growth and development of an idea.

presented at length

This one focuses on the extensive nature of the presentation.

articulated clearly

Emphasis on clarity and precision in expression.

set forth

This one refers to expressing an idea in a methodical manner.

went into detail

This alternative denotes that a complex idea is broken into smaller, more digestible portions.

shed light on

This means offering further clarification to an otherwise complex situation.

FAQs

How can I use "expounded" in a sentence?

"Expounded" is typically used to describe the act of explaining something in a detailed and thorough manner. For example, "The professor "expounded" on the intricacies of quantum physics."

What words are similar to "expounded"?

Alternatives to "expounded" include "elaborated on", "explained in detail", or "detailed", each carrying a similar connotation of thorough explanation.

Is "expounded" formal or informal?

"Expounded" is generally considered a formal term. It's more suited to academic, professional, or otherwise formal writing. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "explained" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "expounded" and "explained"?

While both words refer to making something understandable, "expounded" implies a more detailed and thorough explanation than "explained". "Expounded" often suggests a deeper dive into a subject, while "explained" can be a simpler, more straightforward clarification.