to expand upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to expand upon" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used when the writer wants to provide further information or elaboration on a certain point or idea. Example: "The study found a strong correlation between increased screen time and decreased mental health. To expand upon this, the research also showed that excessive screen time can lead to higher levels of anxiety in adolescents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are some period pieces that turn to the past to expand upon thematic elements.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And there is plenty of room to expand upon Obama's ideas.

The New Yorker

Davis Brody Bond has continued to expand upon our founding legacy of innovative and responsible design.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, the reasons to expand upon it make good business sense in a downturned economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

History's spotlight now shifts to plans to expand upon Lower Manhattan as a hub for regional transportation.

The New York Times - Arts

At this week's Republican National Convention, he is also likely to expand upon the theme of ownership.

The New Yorker

He is less eager to expand upon the art of songwriting, as if dissecting it might somehow destroy the magic.

The Guardian - Music

"Courts are typically afraid to expand upon that decision because it tends to put limitations on law enforcement," he said.

The New York Times

Now, Ms. Harris said, she is hoping to expand upon her record of public service in Congress.

The New York Times

I think that Branford Marsalis has the talent to expand upon Rollins and become a master of intimidating quality.

The New Yorker

Firm employees called and texted one another throughout Saturday, hoping to expand upon what little information management had offered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to expand upon" when you want to provide additional context, details, or explanations about a previously mentioned topic or idea. It signals that you're going to delve deeper into the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "to expand upon" in situations where a simple addition or clarification would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Instead of saying "to expand upon that, I'll add...", consider a simpler alternative like "also" or "furthermore".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to expand upon" functions as an infinitive phrase used to introduce additional information or clarification. It indicates the intention to provide further details, explanations, or context related to a previously mentioned point. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to elaborate on ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Huffington Post

5%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to expand upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signals the intention to provide further details, explanations, or context to a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used in written English. It's found most often in news and media and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. To avoid overuse, consider simpler alternatives in informal settings. Remember, the goal is to clarify and enrich your writing effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to elaborate on

Focuses more on detailing specific aspects.

to expound on

Implies a more formal and detailed explanation.

to enlarge upon

Indicates broadening the scope of the discussion.

to build on

Suggests using existing information as a foundation for further development.

to delve deeper into

Emphasizes exploring the subject matter more thoroughly.

to add to

Simply means to provide additional information.

to amplify

Highlights increasing the intensity or impact of the information.

to supplement

Suggests providing something that completes or enhances the existing information.

to flesh out

Implies adding more detail to make something more complete.

to clarify

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand.

FAQs

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

Use "to expand upon" to introduce further details or explanations related to a previously mentioned point. For example, "The report highlighted several key issues; to expand upon these, we need to examine the underlying causes".

What are some alternatives to "to expand upon"?

You can use alternatives like "to elaborate on", "to expound on", or "to build on" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "to expand upon"?

While grammatically correct, "to expand upon" can sound overly formal in casual conversations or informal writing. In those contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

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

Both phrases suggest providing more detail, but "to expand upon" implies broadening the scope or adding new information, while "to elaborate on" focuses more on clarifying existing points with greater detail.