provide more background

USAGE SUMMARY

"provide more background" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to provide more details or context about a particular subject. For example, "Can you please provide more background about the company's market strategy?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Democrats say a simple decision by Mr. Estrada to provide more background could break the deadlock.

The New York Times

Dalrymple's much anticipated book on the East India Company may well provide more background to this story.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Johnson's spokesman, Perry Plumart, declined to provide more background about what led to his boss's change of heart.

The New York Times

Sean Mathias, who is directing the revival, which opens on April 14 at the Royale Theater, said he had hired a researcher to provide more background.

The New York Times

As a follow-up to last night's post about the stay, this post is intended to provide more background on the underlying legal issues.

The Washington Post

The Commission has not released a figure for all first-time young voters.To provide more background on young people's attitudes to politics and India's economic problems, we asked two further sets of questions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

(Update: More here) The Daily Nous provides more background here.

The Washington Post

A news story in The Times provides more background.

The New York Times

PillowTalks with directors, choreographers, designers, writers, and filmmakers are scheduled throughout the festival, providing more background.

The New Yorker

(It had been in a footnote). In footnote 1, we added a link to Copyright and Cultural Institutions, which provides more background on the categories in the chart.

Stanford University

A: We encourage contributors to the Guardian website to include links to content which is revealing, relevant, informative and/or provides more background or context about a particular perspective, situation or topic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting background information, be specific about the area you need clarified to guide the provider and ensure you receive relevant details.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience has a certain level of understanding. Always consider "providing more background" to ensure clarity for all readers, regardless of their familiarity with the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide more background" functions primarily as a request for additional contextual information. It's used to seek a better understanding of a topic by asking for details that establish the setting or circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provide more background" is a common and grammatically correct request for additional contextual information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in a wide array of settings. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic sources, it serves to enhance understanding by eliciting explanatory details. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about the needed information and avoid assuming prior knowledge on the recipient's part. Alternatives such as "offer additional context" or "give further details" can be used to add nuance or adjust the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer additional context

This alternative focuses on adding context, shifting the emphasis from "background" to the broader concept of "context".

give further details

This phrase emphasizes the need for specific details rather than a general overview.

elaborate further

This alternative suggests expanding on existing information to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

expand on that

A more concise way to ask for further explanation or details on a specific point.

offer a deeper explanation

This option specifies the need for a more in-depth and thorough explanation.

shed more light on

This phrase uses a metaphor to indicate the need for clarification and greater understanding.

give a more comprehensive account

This emphasizes the desire for a complete and thorough explanation of the topic.

supply additional information

This alternative highlights the act of providing extra information to enhance understanding.

add more color

This suggests providing vivid and descriptive details to make the topic more engaging.

furnish more insights

This option emphasizes providing a deeper understanding or perspective on the topic.

FAQs

How can I ask someone to "provide more background" without sounding demanding?

You can use softer phrasing such as, "Could you elaborate on that a bit more?" or "I'd appreciate it if you could "offer additional context"." These options are less direct and more collaborative.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "provide more background"?

It's appropriate when you need a clearer understanding of a topic, situation, or decision. This is especially useful when the information presented assumes prior knowledge you may not have.

What are some formal alternatives to "provide more background"?

Formal alternatives include "furnish additional details", "supply additional information", or "elaborate further on the matter."

How does "provide more background" differ from "give more details"?

"Provide more background" suggests giving a broader understanding of the context, whereas "give more details" implies offering specific facts or pieces of information about a particular point. Background is about the context and setting, while details are about specific pieces of evidence.