to comment further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to comment further" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to elaborate on a topic or provide additional insights or opinions. Example: "I would like to comment further on the implications of this policy change during our meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They declined to comment further.

The New York Times

Yahoo declined to comment further.

The New York Times - Tech

She declined to comment further.

The New York Times

Apple declined to comment further.

The Guardian - Tech

Hulu refused to comment further.

The New York Times

CommonWealth declined to comment further.

The New York Times

It declined to comment further.

The New York Times

The F.B.I. declined to comment further.

The New York Times

Mr. Kalar declined to comment further.

The New York Times

A press officer declined to comment further.

The New York Times

The E.E.O.C. declined to comment further.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to comment further" when you want to indicate that you are either choosing not to provide more information at this time or are open to giving more details later. Be mindful of the context to avoid appearing evasive.

Common error

Don't use "to comment further" if you have no intention of providing more details at any point. Instead, clearly state that you will not be providing any additional information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to comment further" is as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a larger verb phrase. It indicates an action related to making an observation or giving an opinion, with the adverb 'further' implying continuation or addition. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears in various contexts where individuals or organizations choose not to elaborate on a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to comment further" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase. Ludwig confirms that it is primarily used in news and media and formal business contexts to indicate a decision not to provide additional details at a specific time. While the phrase is generally neutral to professional in register, it’s important to use it judiciously to avoid ambiguity or appearing evasive. Alternatives such as "to elaborate further" or "to add more details" can be considered depending on the specific context. The frequency of this phrase is very common, especially within authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to elaborate further

Emphasizes expanding on existing statements.

to go into greater detail

Emphasizes the level of depth in providing information.

to give further explanation

Highlights the action of providing a clear explanation about something.

to add more details

Focuses on providing additional specific information.

to expand on this point

Highlights the action of giving a more detailed account.

to provide further insights

Highlights offering deeper understanding or perspectives.

to provide additional context

Underscores the importance of adding background information.

to offer additional remarks

Stresses providing more general observations or statements.

to say more on the matter

Suggests adding more information specifically about the topic at hand.

to speak more about it

Suggests providing more general information about a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "to comment further" in a sentence?

You can use "to comment further" to indicate a decision not to elaborate at that moment, for example, "The company declined "to comment further" on the ongoing investigation."

What are some alternatives to "to comment further"?

Alternatives include "to elaborate further", "to add more details", or "to provide additional insights", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "to comment further" in formal writing?

Yes, "to comment further" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reporting or official statements, as shown in examples from sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

What does it mean when someone declines "to comment further"?

When someone declines "to comment further", it means they are choosing not to provide additional information or details on a particular topic at that time. It doesn't necessarily mean they won't comment later, but they are refraining from doing so immediately.