would you mind elaborating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would you mind elaborating' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to politely ask someone to provide more information on a topic or idea they have just spoken about. For example: "I noticed that you mentioned an interesting new marketing strategy. Would you mind elaborating on what it entails?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For us readers who are out of college, would you mind elaborating a little on your views about Marxist ideas still being relevant?

The New Yorker

Would you mind elaborating on that?

Forbes

CG: Would you mind elaborating a bit further?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Would you mind doing that?

The New Yorker

Would you mind that?" "No.

The New Yorker

"Would you mind?" I asked.

The New York Times

Would you mind?

The New York Times

Would you mind ordering lunch?

Harvard Business Review

"Would you mind making room?

The New Yorker

Would you mind sharing?

Duke University

Would you mind owning the target stock?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would you mind elaborating" when you want to politely signal that you need more information or a clearer explanation of something that has already been mentioned. It's particularly effective in professional or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "would you mind elaborating" in very casual conversations with close friends. It can sound overly formal or even sarcastic, especially if a simpler, more direct question would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would you mind elaborating" functions as a polite interrogative request. It's used to ask someone to provide more detail or explanation on a topic. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would you mind elaborating" is a polite and formal way to request more information or detail. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase appears relatively rarely, when used, it's most commonly found in news and media, academic, and science contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of the setting and audience; in very casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Remember to use the phrase when you genuinely need further explanation and want to convey respect and politeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you please explain further

More direct, replacing the conditional "would you mind" with a simple request.

can you elaborate on that

A less formal, more straightforward request for detail.

I'd appreciate it if you could elaborate

A more formal and appreciative way to ask for more information.

could you go into more detail

Focuses specifically on the depth of information provided.

can you expand on that

Asks for a broader explanation of the topic.

explain in more detail

A direct request focusing on the level of detail.

please provide more details

A slightly more formal request for specific information.

would you clarify that

Focuses on making something clearer, not necessarily providing more information.

tell me more about that

A more casual and open-ended request.

can you give us more information

Broader request, suited for group settings or general inquiries.

FAQs

How can I use "would you mind elaborating" in a sentence?

You can use "would you mind elaborating" when you need more detailed information. For example, "You mentioned a new strategy; "would you mind elaborating" on the specifics?"

What's a less formal way to say "would you mind elaborating"?

Less formal alternatives include "can you explain that a bit more?" or "can you tell me more about that?" These options are suitable for casual conversations.

Is "would you mind elaborating" suitable for all situations?

While generally polite, "would you mind elaborating" may sound overly formal in very casual settings. Consider your audience and the context before using it.

Are there any situations where I shouldn't use "would you mind elaborating"?

Avoid using "would you mind elaborating" if you are already familiar with the topic and are intentionally trying to challenge the speaker or sound sarcastic. Sincerity is key to using this phrase effectively.