probe for details

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probe for details" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage someone to provide more information or clarification about a topic or situation. Example: "During the interview, the journalist decided to probe for details about the company's recent changes in leadership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

All of this information should be available in the faculty handbook, but you may need to probe for details about how the policies actually work.

Science Magazine

Ask them all about why they're still single and probe for details about their dating life.

HuffPost

One-by-one, Sharks probe for details of the business then either decline to invest ('I'm out'), or make a counter-offer.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Probe for detail to increase your confidence that they are using appropriate strategies.

Harvard Business Review

To investigate the evolution of the CHEK2 duplicon we screened a Y-chromosomal cosmid library (LLOYNC03"M") with a Y-derived CHEK2 duplicon probe (for detail see Methods).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The chats continued, with Lamo probing for details.

The Washington Post

When he probed for details, she told him not to worry about it and admonished him to stay inside.

The New Yorker

Nearly a century later an adolescent probing for details from the daughter of a survivor was primly told, "Miss Molly, we do not mention this in Nantucket.

The New York Times - Books

For the past two weeks, judges and lawyers in the trial of a Khmer Rouge prison chief have probed for details about the suffering of victims of a regime that caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people between 1975 and 1979.

The New York Times

Probing for details about the company's rate structure, Nolan unsettles the accountant with an outrageously false statement: "So your profit margin is 40% to 50%." Nothing like that, the accountant corrects him, and discloses a more accurate figure.

Forbes

Despite legislation in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, there are also times when candidates are probed for details about their marital status or whether they are planning to start a family soon, or they are asked other inappropriate questions.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "probe for details", consider your audience and the context. In professional settings, this phrase is suitable for encouraging thorough investigation and clarification. In informal settings, consider more conversational alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "probe for details" excessively in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or interrogative. Opt for simpler phrases like "tell me more" or "can you explain further" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probe for details" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of inquiring deeply into a subject to uncover specific information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to encourage someone to provide more clarification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probe for details" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to encourage thorough inquiry and clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and offers context-appropriate advice. While primarily found in neutral to professional contexts like news and scientific reporting, the phrase can also be adapted for less formal settings. To avoid sounding overly formal in casual conversations, consider alternatives such as "tell me more" or "can you explain further".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate thoroughly

This alternative emphasizes a deep and careful investigation, focusing on the depth of the inquiry.

delve into specifics

This phrase highlights the act of exploring particular and precise information, suggesting a focus on precision.

examine closely

This suggests a careful and detailed review, emphasizing the scrutiny of the examination.

inquire deeply

This conveys a sense of profound questioning, focusing on the depth of the inquiry.

scrutinize the facts

This alternative suggests a critical and detailed examination of factual information.

pursue the matter further

This focuses on continuing the investigation to obtain more information.

explore the nuances

This highlights the examination of subtle differences and details.

dig deeper

This is a more informal way of saying to investigate more thoroughly.

seek clarification

This alternative focuses on the act of trying to make something clearer and easier to understand.

ask follow-up questions

This emphasizes the act of asking additional questions to gain more clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "probe for details" in a sentence?

"Probe for details" is used to encourage a thorough inquiry. For example, "The interviewer decided to "probe for details" about the candidate's previous experience."

What can I say instead of "probe for details"?

Alternatives to "probe for details" include "investigate thoroughly", "delve into specifics", or "examine closely", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "probe for details"?

It is appropriate to use "probe for details" in situations where a thorough and detailed inquiry is required, such as during interviews, investigations, or academic research.

What's the difference between "probe for details" and "ask questions"?

"Probe for details" implies a more in-depth and persistent line of questioning aimed at uncovering specific information, whereas "ask questions" is a more general term for seeking information.