little elaboration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little elaboration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a small amount of additional detail or explanation is needed. Example: "The report was clear, but it could benefit from a little elaboration on the methodology used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

There is little elaboration.

The New York Times

He offered little elaboration.

The New York Times - Sports

"I understand what that struggle is, what those internal questions are," Ms. Palin said, with little elaboration.

The New York Times

Yet his focus is on his team, and there's little elaboration on the ashes from which he's arisen.

The New York Times

"This is a referendum on the Obama administration," Mr. Markey said at one point, with little elaboration.

The New York Times

With a little elaboration, Theo's meaning might have been well dramatized in Anna's story, which emerges as the most persuasive part of the novel.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He proffers allegations like "liberals and others on the European left are making common cause with radical Islam" or "the United States is becoming as culpable as Europe, its liberal news media and college campuses willfully refusing to acknowledge the danger posed by radical Islam" with little evidence or elaboration.

The New York Times

Finally, the last reason I imagine for why my husband and I no longer have sex comes almost as a relief, because it requires very little imagination or elaboration and after I think it I can usually go back to sleep.

The New Yorker

The only depressing part of my job is that I also see some papers with sparse, hurried, not always helpful comments and a grade with very little explanation or elaboration on how this choice was made.

Huffington Post

It's using a traditionally corporate marketing strategy to show Romney's interest in getting this country back on track with the right leadership, without telling people how, exactly, he plans on doing that (convenient that Twitter only allows 140 characters, with little opportunity for elaboration).

Huffington Post

However, these guidelines provide little explanation and elaboration about what constitutes a "balanced presentation", why balance is essential for informed patient decision making, what strategies developers use to present information in a balanced manner, nor how to assess the balance of information and options during the development or evaluation of PtDAs.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little elaboration" when you want to emphasize that something was mentioned or described without going into significant detail. This can be useful for creating a sense of mystery or for streamlining your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "little elaboration" in contexts where detailed explanations are expected. In technical documents or academic papers, providing sufficient detail is crucial for clarity and credibility. If thoroughness is needed, opt for more specific phrasing rather than stating something needs "little elaboration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little elaboration" functions as a noun phrase, where "little" modifies the noun "elaboration". It typically acts as an object or complement within a sentence, indicating a lack of detailed explanation or expansion. As Ludwig AI explains, it signals that something is presented without thorough development.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Books

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little elaboration" is a versatile phrase used to denote a lack of detail or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and common usage across various reputable sources, including news and media and science, underscore its validity in written English. While it can be useful for brevity or creating suspense, it should be used judiciously in contexts requiring thoroughness. Remember that related phrases like "brief explanation" or "minimal detail" can provide nuance. When more clarity is needed, avoid it. So, if the goal is being concise then do not include much detail, if clarity is important, avoid using "little elaboration" and provide additional information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of detail

Focuses on the absence of specific information.

brief explanation

Focuses on the brevity of the explanation provided.

minimal detail

Emphasizes the scarcity of details given.

scant information

Highlights the inadequacy of the information presented.

limited expansion

Stresses the restriction in expanding upon a topic.

cursory treatment

Indicates a superficial or hasty approach.

passing mention

Suggests a brief and often insignificant reference.

superficial account

Highlights the lack of depth in the narration.

brief description

Indicates a short and concise account.

no further explanation

Highlights the complete absence of any additional clarifying information.

FAQs

How can I use "little elaboration" in a sentence?

You can use "little elaboration" to indicate that something was mentioned or described without going into significant detail. For example, "He offered "little elaboration" on his plans for the future."

What are some alternatives to "little elaboration"?

You can use alternatives like "brief explanation", "minimal detail", or "scant information" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is described with "little elaboration"?

It means that the description was brief and lacked significant detail. It suggests that more information could have been provided but wasn't, possibly intentionally.

Is it always negative to say something received "little elaboration"?

Not necessarily. It can be neutral, simply stating a fact about the level of detail provided. However, it can also imply criticism if more detail was expected or necessary. The context is crucial in determining the connotation.