to expand on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to expand on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want someone to provide more details or elaborate on a particular topic or idea. Example: "Could you expand on your thoughts regarding the new marketing strategy during the meeting?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Barely one review failed to expand on the film's Feminist Impact.

Vice

Monterey County officials declined to expand on their decision to continue negotiating with only one group.

Los Angeles Times

The theme of eternal youth is one that Ms. Ebersole, 57, was eager to expand on.

The New York Times

The idea was to expand on Hasbro's most popular properties.

The New York Times

He decided to expand on the idea with Foursquare.

The New York Times - Tech

"I want to expand on everything 13 times over.

The Guardian

Today, I want to expand on that agenda.

The New York Times

I asked him to expand on what he meant.

The Guardian - Music

The agent declined several requests to expand on his remarks.

The New York Times

"I don't think I need to expand on it".

The New York Times - Sports

We'll continue to expand on what we have".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to expand on" when you want to encourage a speaker or writer to provide more specific information or clarify a previous statement. It's a polite and direct way to prompt further detail.

Common error

While "to expand on" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "to elaborate on" or "to provide further details" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to expand on" functions as an infinitive phrase often used as a purpose connector. It serves to introduce a request or intention to provide more details or explanation regarding a previously mentioned topic. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to expand on" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to request or express the intention to provide more detailed information on a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, and the phrase is versatile and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and business. While widely accepted, it's advisable to occasionally use alternatives like "to elaborate on" or "to provide further details" to enhance the diversity and formality of your writing. Using "to expand on" effectively ensures clear communication and promotes a deeper understanding of the topic at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to elaborate on

Focuses on providing more details and clarifying existing points.

to enlarge on

Similar to elaborate, but suggests making something bigger or more significant.

to expound on

Implies a more formal and detailed explanation.

to develop further

Suggests taking an idea and building upon it with additional information.

to detail more fully

Focuses on providing a complete and thorough account.

to amplify

Means to increase the intensity or impact of something by giving more information.

to flesh out

Suggests adding substance and detail to something that is incomplete.

to provide further explanation

A more explicit way of asking for or giving more detail.

to delve deeper into

Implies a more profound and thorough investigation of a topic.

to give more insight

Focuses on providing a deeper understanding or perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "to expand on" in a sentence?

You can use "to expand on" to ask someone to provide more details about something they've already mentioned. For example, "Could you "to expand on" your proposal at the next meeting?"

What is a more formal way to say "to expand on"?

In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "to elaborate on", "to expound on", or "to provide further details".

Is it correct to say "expand upon" instead of "to expand on"?

While "expand upon" is grammatically correct, ""to expand on"" is more common and generally preferred in modern usage.

What's the difference between ""to expand on"" and "to elaborate on"?

Both phrases are very similar, but ""to elaborate on"" might imply a more detailed and intricate explanation, while ""to expand on"" is a more general request for further information.