Other Ways to Say "Can you elaborate"

Formal Alternatives

Could you provide further details?

The committee requires a deeper understanding of the proposal, so could you provide further details regarding the budget?

Please expand upon this point.

During the academic review, the professor asked the student to please expand upon this point to clarify the thesis.

Would you mind clarifying your statement?

The judge paused the hearing and asked the witness, would you mind clarifying your statement for the record?

I would appreciate more information.

The client emailed the vendor stating that they needed to finalize the contract and would appreciate more information.

Could you elaborate on that perspective?

In the board meeting, the CEO asked the analyst, could you elaborate on that perspective regarding market trends?

Please provide additional context.

The researcher noted that the data was incomplete and asked the team to please provide additional context.

May I ask for more specifics?

The auditor reviewed the expense report and politely asked, may I ask for more specifics on this travel cost?

Could you flesh out this idea?

The director listened to the pitch and said, could you flesh out this idea before we move to production?

I seek greater clarity on this matter.

The lawyer addressed the court and stated that he sought greater clarity on this matter before proceeding.

Please provide a more detailed explanation.

The supervisor reviewed the error log and asked the technician to please provide a more detailed explanation.

Professional and Email Alternatives

Could you share more insights?

Subject: Project Update. Body: Thanks for the summary. Could you share more insights on the timeline risks?

Please give me more background.

Subject: New Client. Body: I have reviewed the brief. Please give me more background on their previous campaigns.

I would like to understand this better.

Subject: Feedback. Body: I appreciate the report. I would like to understand this better before the meeting.

Can you walk me through this?

Subject: Process Review. Body: The new workflow looks complex. Can you walk me through this step by step?

Could you break this down further?

Subject: Budget Query. Body: The numbers seem high. Could you break this down further by category?

Please provide more context here.

Subject: Draft Review. Body: This paragraph is vague. Please provide more context here for the reader.

I need more details on this.

Subject: Action Items. Body: I have assigned the tasks. I need more details on this deliverable though.

Could you clarify this section?

Subject: Document Proof. Body: I am reading the introduction. Could you clarify this section for me?

Let me know more about this.

Subject: Vendor Options. Body: I like option B. Let me know more about this pricing structure.

Please expand on your thoughts.

Subject: Strategy Meeting. Body: Your ideas were great. Please expand on your thoughts for the next quarter.

Casual Alternatives

What do you mean?

My friend mentioned a weird noise. I asked, what do you mean, like a knock?

Tell me more about that.

She talked about her trip. I smiled and said, tell me more about that beach.

How so?

He said the movie was confusing. I replied, how so, did the plot twist fail?

Can you explain that?

My cousin used a slang term. I asked, can you explain that to me?

Spill the beans.

My brother looked secretive. I laughed and said, spill the beans, what happened?

Give me the scoop.

My neighbor waved hello. I asked, give me the scoop on the party tonight.

What are the details?

My friend planned a surprise. I asked, what are the details, can I help?

Break it down for me.

My roommate explained the recipe. I said, break it down for me, I am hungry.

I am not following.

My classmate explained the math. I said, I am not following, show me again.

Go on, I am listening.

My sister started a story. I said, go on, I am listening, this sounds fun.

Warm and Friendly Alternatives

I would love to hear more.

The neighbor described her garden. I said, I would love to hear more about those flowers.

That sounds interesting, tell me more.

My colleague mentioned a hobby. I smiled and said, that sounds interesting, tell me more.

Could you share a bit more?

The teacher praised the project. I asked, could you share a bit more about your process?

I am curious, what happened next?

My friend paused mid-story. I leaned in and said, I am curious, what happened next?

Please, go into more detail.

The mentor gave advice. I said, please, go into more detail, I want to learn.

I want to understand this fully.

My partner explained the plan. I said, I want to understand this fully before we start.

Could you help me see this?

My colleague showed a chart. I asked, could you help me see this trend clearly?

I am eager to learn more.

The speaker finished her talk. I said, I am eager to learn more about your research.

When the Original Phrase Is Still Fine

The phrase can you elaborate remains a safe choice in many standard professional settings. It is widely understood and rarely comes across as rude if paired with a polite tone. Use it when you need a direct request for expansion without adding extra fluff or formality. It works well in quick verbal exchanges or brief written notes where clarity is the main goal.

How to Choose the Right Alternative

Select your phrase based on your relationship with the listener and the setting. Use formal options for bosses or clients to show respect. Choose casual phrases for friends to keep the chat light and natural. Warm alternatives build connection and show genuine interest. Always match the tone of the conversation. If the other person is brief, be concise. If they are friendly, be warm.

Short and Simple Alternatives

Please explain further.

Your summary was brief, so please explain further to help me grasp the full scope.

Could you clarify?

I am unsure about the deadline, so could you clarify the exact date?

Tell me more.

That strategy sounds innovative; tell me more about how it works in practice.

Expand on that.

You mentioned budget constraints, so please expand on that point for the team.

Give me details.

I need to update the spreadsheet, so give me details about the new vendor.

What are the specifics?

We need to plan the event, so what are the specifics regarding the venue?

Can you unpack this?

The data seems complex, so can you unpack this chart for us?

Alternatives for Text Messages

Say more!

That sounds like an amazing spot for dinner. Say more!

Wait, how?

You fixed the bug already? Wait, how did you find it?

Elaborate pls

I missed the meeting notes. Elaborate pls on the next steps.

Need more info

I am looking at the contract but need more info on clause four.

Can you explain?

The error message is confusing. Can you explain what went wrong?

Tell me why

I am curious about your decision. Tell me why you chose this option.

More context?

I saw the headline but lack background. More context?

Phrases to Avoid

Explain it like I am five

This can sound condescending or impatient. Use Could you simplify this concept? instead.

Make sense?

This puts pressure on the listener and sounds aggressive. Use Does this align with your understanding? instead.

What?

Standing alone, this word appears rude or dismissive. Use I did not catch that, could you repeat it? instead.

You are confusing

This attacks the speaker rather than addressing the message. Use I am having trouble following, could you rephrase? instead.

Frequently Asked Questions