expounding on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expounding on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to elaborate or provide detailed explanations about a particular topic or idea. Example: "In her lecture, she spent a significant amount of time expounding on the importance of environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The pope took us by surprise," said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, expounding on one of the most dramatic moments in centuries of Vatican history.

The New York Times

The more time you spend expounding on any topic, especially personal ones, the less anonymous you become.

WikiHow

And there's Mr. Crowe again, now expounding on camera.

The New York Times

Expounding on the subject during a recent visit to London, he began with two accurate assertions.

The Economist

In his worldwide travels, he gave more than 400 speeches expounding on U.S. science policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was expounding on the expressive soccer learned in his childhood at Barça's academy.

The New York Times - Sports

"No massive publicity budget expounding on the 'tartan and bagpipes,' " the company promised.

The New Yorker

"He was just expounding on how great literature has never been written by a beautiful woman".

The New Yorker

Across town, at the hair salon, the young women were expounding on the merits of corpulence.

The New York Times

Just last week, drummer Richard Hughes could be heard expounding on his objectives for Perfect Symmetry.

The Guardian - Music

Then Ninja starts expounding on the meaning of "zef" and he comes alive.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expounding on" when you want to convey a sense of authority or detailed explanation, especially in formal writing or speech.

Common error

Avoid using "expounding on" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "explaining" or "talking about" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expounding on" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the topic being discussed or explained in detail. It often implies a knowledgeable or authoritative speaker. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "expounding on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies a detailed and authoritative explanation of a topic. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable for formal contexts and often used in news media. While it's important to avoid overusing it in informal settings, mastering its use can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Alternatives such as "elaborating on" or "expanding upon" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborating on

Direct synonym; replaces "expounding" with a more common term for detailed explanation.

expanding upon

Similar to elaborating, but implies building on an existing foundation of knowledge.

detailing

Focuses on providing specific details about a subject.

elucidating

Suggests clarifying a complex topic, making it easier to understand.

commenting on

Implies providing an opinion or analysis while elaborating.

discussing in detail

More explicit and less formal than "expounding on".

amplifying

Suggests increasing the scope or importance of a subject.

giving a dissertation on

Implies a formal and lengthy explanation.

going into depth about

Informal way to express providing a thorough explanation.

shedding light on

Emphasizes clarifying or revealing new aspects of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "expounding on" in a sentence?

"Expounding on" is typically followed by the topic being discussed. For example, "The professor spent an hour expounding on the intricacies of quantum physics."

What are some alternatives to "expounding on"?

You can use alternatives like "elaborating on", "expanding upon", or "detailing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "expounding on" formal or informal?

"Expounding on" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "explaining" or "talking about" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "expounding on" and "elaborating on"?

While both phrases mean to provide more detail, "expounding on" often suggests a more authoritative or knowledgeable explanation, while "elaborating on" is a more general term for providing additional information.