In meetings or writing, I’ve learned Can You Elaborate? is a polite request to provide more details, explanation, or information about what was said in the previous statement, offering deeper understanding with examples and reasoning, rather than a brief overview, giving someone clarity, respect, and a gentle pause that invites thought without pressure.
What Does “Can You Elaborate?” Mean?
“Can You Elaborate?” is a polite way to request someone to provide more details, explanation, or information about something they just said. It invites deeper understanding or examples without pressuring the speaker and is widely used in professional, social, and digital conversations to clarify meaning efficiently.
Common Alternatives to “Can You Elaborate?”
- Could you expand on that?
- Please clarify what you mean
- Can you go into more detail?
- Would you mind explaining further?
- Help me understand this better
When Should You Use “Can You Elaborate?”
Can You Elaborate? when a conversation requires clarity, precision, or additional context. It works well in meetings, collaborative projects, emails, or learning environments, signaling respect while prompting the other person to share deeper insights. My experience shows it avoids misunderstandings and improves team communication.
Why Is “Can You Elaborate?” Commonly Used?
This phrase is common because it is neutral, polite, and adaptable. Professionals, educators, and managers often choose it to ensure clarity without sounding critical. From my experience, it effectively balances direct inquiry with consideration, helping people summarize complex ideas or give examples that others can understand.
Is It Professional, Polite, or Casual to Say “Can You Elaborate?”
Can You Elaborate? is primarily professional and polite, yet it can adapt to casual settings depending on tone. Using it demonstrates situational awareness and authority, showing that you value precise communication while maintaining respect and collaboration. Overuse in casual chats may feel formal, so adjust based on the context.
Pros and Cons of Using “Can You Elaborate?”
Advantages:
- Encourages clarity and deeper understanding
- Shows politeness and engagement
- Facilitates better decision-making and learning
Potential Drawbacks:
- Can feel formal or distant in casual settings
- May slow down quick conversations
- Could unintentionally pressure the speaker if overused
Linguistic & Communication Insight
Emotional weight & subtext: Native speakers sense curiosity and engagement, not criticism.
Direct vs indirect phrasing: Compared to softer alternatives like “Help me understand”, Can You Elaborate? communicates precision and focus.
Professional communication perspective: In emails, meetings, or social media, it signals thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
Pragmatic reasons for alternatives: Professionals may use variants to reduce defensiveness, promote collaboration, or adjust tone to context.
Social signaling: Word choice affects perception, trust, and engagement; Can You Elaborate? conveys respect, attentiveness, and professionalism.
Tone & context guidance: Ideal for formal or semi-formal settings, risky if used in overly casual conversations where tone may seem stiff.
Which Alternative Should You Use?
Professional & Neutral Alternatives:
- Could you expand on that?
- Can you go into more detail?
- Would you mind explaining further?
- Please clarify what you mean
- Help me understand this better
Polite & Supportive Alternatives:
- I’d appreciate your clarification
- Could you help me understand this?
- Would you mind elaborating a bit?
- Can you shed some light on this?
- Please provide more context
Encouraging & Reassuring Alternatives:
- Could you walk me through that?
- I’d love to hear more about this
- Let’s explore this further together
- Could you share your thoughts in detail?
- Can we go over this a little more?
Casual, Playful & Idiomatic Alternatives:
- Can you fill me in?
- What do you mean by that exactly?
- Break it down for me
- Can you run that by me again?
- Give me the scoop on this
Meaning, Usage & Examples for Each Alternative
Could you expand on that?
Meaning: Asking for additional details
Why This Phrase Works: Neutral and professional
Real-World Usage Insight: Encourages thoughtful responses
Best Use: Meetings, professional emails
Avoid When: Casual conversations where formality is unnecessary
Tone: Polite, engaged
US vs UK Usage: Common in both
Example (Email / Message / Meeting): In a team meeting: “Could you expand on that point about the client feedback?”
Can you go into more detail?
Meaning: Requesting further clarification
Why This Phrase Works: Direct but polite
Real-World Usage Insight: Useful for project updates
Best Use: Project discussions, collaborative emails
Avoid When: Casual chats
Tone: Neutral-professional
US vs UK Usage: Widely used
Example (Meeting): “Can you go into more detail about the timeline for our next deliverable?”
Would you mind explaining further?
Meaning: Politely asking for additional explanation
Why This Phrase Works: Softens directness
Real-World Usage Insight: Reduces defensiveness
Best Use: One-on-one feedback sessions
Avoid When: Quick, urgent questions
Tone: Polite, supportive
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Email): “Would you mind explaining further the results from the last survey?”
Please clarify what you mean
Meaning: Asking for specific clarification
Why This Phrase Works: Very neutral, professional
Real-World Usage Insight: Effective for written communication
Best Use: Emails or reports
Avoid When: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, direct
US vs UK Usage: Widely used
Example (Email): “Please clarify what you mean by the deadline adjustment in your last email.”
Help me understand this better
Meaning: Collaborative approach to seeking clarity
Why This Phrase Works: Shows engagement
Real-World Usage Insight: Builds rapport
Best Use: Coaching, mentoring
Avoid When: Urgent or time-sensitive questions
Tone: Supportive, polite
US vs UK Usage: Common in both
Example (Meeting): “Help me understand this better—how did we arrive at this estimate?”
I’d appreciate your clarification
Meaning: Requesting explanation with gratitude
Why This Phrase Works: Expresses politeness and respect
Real-World Usage Insight: Strong in emails
Best Use: Formal professional communication
Avoid When: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, courteous
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Email): “I’d appreciate your clarification on the proposed budget adjustments.”
Could you help me understand this?
Meaning: Seeking guidance or explanation
Why This Phrase Works: Collaborative, supportive
Real-World Usage Insight: Reduces tension in discussions
Best Use: Mentoring, team projects
Avoid When: Quick clarifications needed
Tone: Polite, neutral
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “Could you help me understand this section of the report?”
Would you mind elaborating a bit?
Meaning: Soft, polite request for details
Why This Phrase Works: Less formal, conversational
Real-World Usage Insight: Good for friendly professional settings
Best Use: Peer discussions
Avoid When: Urgent situations
Tone: Polite, light
US vs UK Usage: Both used
Example (Meeting): “Would you mind elaborating a bit on the marketing strategy?”
Can you shed some light on this?
Meaning: Asking for clarification or explanation
Why This Phrase Works: Casual yet polite
Real-World Usage Insight: Works in mixed professional/casual settings
Best Use: Team discussions, informal meetings
Avoid When: Very formal documents
Tone: Friendly, engaging
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “Can you shed some light on the client’s feedback?”
Please provide more context
Meaning: Asking for supporting details
Why This Phrase Works: Formal, professional
Real-World Usage Insight: Reduces misunderstanding in emails
Best Use: Written communication
Avoid When: Casual conversation
Tone: Neutral-professional
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Email): “Please provide more context regarding your previous recommendations.”
Could you walk me through that?
Meaning: Requesting a step-by-step explanation
Why This Phrase Works: Collaborative and supportive
Real-World Usage Insight: Excellent for training or onboarding
Best Use: Teaching, mentoring
Avoid When: Quick answers required
Tone: Friendly, encouraging
US vs UK Usage: Both widely used
Example (Meeting): “Could you walk me through the new software update process?”
I’d love to hear more about this
Meaning: Expressing genuine interest
Why This Phrase Works: Engaging, friendly
Real-World Usage Insight: Builds rapport
Best Use: Team or creative brainstorming
Avoid When: Highly formal communication
Tone: Supportive, casual
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “I’d love to hear more about this new marketing approach.”
Let’s explore this further together
Meaning: Collaborative request to elaborate
Why This Phrase Works: Encourages teamwork
Real-World Usage Insight: Motivates joint problem-solving
Best Use: Team projects
Avoid When: One-on-one clarification
Tone: Collaborative, positive
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “Let’s explore this further together during the next session.”
Could you share your thoughts in detail?
Meaning: Inviting elaboration on opinions or ideas
Why This Phrase Works: Shows respect and curiosity
Real-World Usage Insight: Strengthens engagement
Best Use: Feedback or brainstorming sessions
Avoid When: Quick response needed
Tone: Polite, thoughtful
US vs UK Usage: Both widely used
Example (Meeting): “Could you share your thoughts in detail about the client proposal?”
Can we go over this a little more?
Meaning: Requesting more discussion
Why This Phrase Works: Collaborative and gentle
Real-World Usage Insight: Reduces pressure on speaker
Best Use: Team or project reviews
Avoid When: One-time clarification
Tone: Casual-professional
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “Can we go over this a little more before finalizing the report?”
Can you fill me in?
Meaning: Asking for missing information
Why This Phrase Works: Casual, friendly
Real-World Usage Insight: Ideal in informal settings
Best Use: Social, team updates
Avoid When: Formal communication
Tone: Casual, approachable
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Email): “Can you fill me in on what was discussed at the meeting?”
What do you mean by that exactly?
Meaning: Seeking clarification politely
Why This Phrase Works: Direct, clear
Real-World Usage Insight: Useful when precision matters
Best Use: Meetings or teaching
Avoid When: Casual or sensitive topics
Tone: Neutral, questioning
US vs UK Usage: Both
Example (Meeting): “What do you mean by that exactly regarding the new policy?”
Break it down for me
Meaning: Asking for a simpler or detailed explanation
Why This Phrase Works: Informal, approachable
Real-World Usage Insight: Good for mentoring or peer discussions
Best Use: Casual professional settings
Avoid When: Formal emails or reports
Tone: Casual, supportive
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “Break it down for me—how did we get these numbers?”
Can you run that by me again?
Meaning: Asking someone to repeat or clarify
Why This Phrase Works: Polite, non-threatening
Real-World Usage Insight: Helpful in fast conversations
Best Use: Informal meetings or team calls
Avoid When: Formal documentation
Tone: Casual, polite
US vs UK Usage: Common
Example (Meeting): “Can you run that by me again? I want to make sure I got it right.”
Give me the scoop on this
Meaning: Requesting an overview or key points
Why This Phrase Works: Casual, friendly
Real-World Usage Insight: Good for team updates or social interaction
Best Use: Informal settings, updates
Avoid When: Formal communication
Tone: Casual, approachable
US vs UK Usage: US-dominant, understood in UK
Example (Meeting): “Give me the scoop on this project before the client call.”
Comparison Table of 10 Best Alternatives
Here are the 10 best alternatives to use in professional and semi-formal settings, balancing clarity, politeness, and tone:
| Phrase | Meaning | Best Use | Worst Use | Tone | US vs UK Usage |
| Could you expand on that? | Request more info politely | Meetings, emails | Casual chats | Neutral-professional | US & UK |
| Can you go into more detail? | Ask for elaboration | Project updates | Quick casual conversation | Neutral-professional | US & UK |
| Would you mind explaining further? | Polite clarification | One-on-one feedback | Urgent discussion | Polite-supportive | US & UK |
| Please clarify what you mean | Specific clarification | Written communication | Casual discussion | Formal-neutral | US & UK |
| Help me understand this better | Collaborative clarification | Mentoring | Time-sensitive chats | Supportive | US & UK |
| Could you walk me through that? | Step-by-step explanation | Training/onboarding | Quick questions | Friendly-collaborative | US & UK |
| I’d love to hear more about this | Express interest | Brainstorming, creative teams | Formal reports | Engaging, casual | US & UK |
| Can you shed some light on this? | Ask for insight | Team discussions | Formal documentation | Friendly | US & UK |
| Please provide more context | Ask for details | Emails, reports | Casual settings | Neutral-professional | US & UK |
| Would you mind elaborating a bit? | Soft elaboration | Peer discussions | Urgent situations | Polite, light | US & UK |
Final Thoughts
Mastering “Can You Elaborate?” is about more than asking for clarification—it’s a skill that strengthens communication, builds trust, and promotes collaboration. Using this phrase or its alternatives demonstrates politeness, attentiveness, and respect while encouraging deeper understanding. Whether in meetings, emails, or casual conversations, strategically choosing words impacts engagement, prevents misunderstandings, and conveys professionalism. Experienced communicators know when to balance tone, context, and clarity. By incorporating alternatives like “Could you expand on that?” or “Help me understand this better”, you can adjust your approach to suit the audience and situation. Remember, language is a tool for connection: thoughtful phrasing signals openness, supports learning, and enhances relationships. Using “Can You Elaborate?” thoughtfully allows conversations to be productive, inclusive, and clear, ensuring both parties feel heard. Over time, consistently applying these phrases strengthens your ability to extract valuable insights, foster collaboration, and maintain a professional, courteous tone. The key is knowing when to use direct requests versus softer, supportive alternatives. Ultimately, the phrase is a bridge between curiosity and clarity, helping speakers expand on their ideas while maintaining comfort and respect. Practicing these alternatives and understanding their nuances makes you a more effective communicator in both personal and professional settings, reinforcing credibility and approachability at every interaction.
FAQs
What does “Can You Elaborate?” mean?
Answer: “Can You Elaborate?” is a polite way to request more details, explanation, or information about something someone said, aiming to gain deeper understanding without pressuring the speaker.
When should I use “Can You Elaborate?”
Answer: Use it in meetings, emails, or discussions when you need clarity, context, or examples. It signals curiosity and professionalism while encouraging collaborative communication.
Is “Can You Elaborate?” formal or casual?
Answer: Primarily professional and polite, it can fit casual conversations depending on tone. Overuse in informal chats may feel stiff, so adjust contextually.
Are there alternatives to “Can You Elaborate?”
Answer: Yes, common alternatives include: “Could you expand on that?”, “Please clarify what you mean”, “Help me understand this better”, and “Would you mind explaining further?”
How do I sound polite using this phrase?
Answer: Pair the phrase with softening words like “please”, “I’d appreciate”, or “would you mind”. These cues reduce defensiveness and convey respect.
Can it be used in emails?
Answer: Absolutely. It works in professional emails to ask for clarification or more context, keeping communication clear and collaborative.
Can this phrase be overused?
Answer: Yes. Frequent repetition can feel formal or pressuring. Use alternatives to maintain engagement and balance tone in ongoing conversations.
Does it work in team meetings?
Answer: Definitely. It encourages open discussion, deeper insights, and ensures all team members understand points before decisions are made.
Is it appropriate for client communication?
Answer: Yes, it’s professional and polite. It shows interest in details while maintaining a collaborative tone, suitable for both US and UK clients.
How do I choose the best alternative?
Answer: Select based on context, tone, and relationship. Professional & neutral alternatives suit formal settings, while supportive or casual alternatives work for team chats or social contexts.
Nauman Anwar is a linguistics-focused English writer and language researcher specializing in English synonyms, word choice, tone, and contextual meaning. With a deep understanding of how native speakers actually use language, Nauman Anwar helps learners, writers, and professionals choose the right word for the right moment, not just a dictionary equivalent.