Elaborate is usually followed by on or the more formal upon when giving more detail about a topic.
Use elaborate on to add more detail about a subject. Elaborate upon is a formal alternative. About is sometimes heard informally but is less standard after elaborate. In and by usually introduce manner or method rather than a fixed verb pattern.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
On is the standard preposition after elaborate when discussing a subject in more depth.
Upon has the same meaning as on but sounds more formal or literary.
By can introduce the method used to develop or explain something.
In can refer to the area, section, or field where something is developed in detail.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
About appears in some informal speech, but on is the standard choice.
✕ The report elaborates about the problem. ✓ The report elaborates on the problem.Use on or upon for the subject being discussed.
✕ Please elaborate in your idea. ✓ Please elaborate on your idea.By introduces a method, not the subject under discussion.
✕ She elaborated by the proposal. ✓ She elaborated on the proposal.Upon is correct but more formal than on.
✓ Could you elaborate on that point?Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Yes. Elaborate on is the standard and most widely accepted pattern.
They have the same meaning, but upon sounds more formal.
Some speakers use it informally, but elaborate on is generally preferred in standard English.
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
