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When you're having a conversation, maybe you'd like your counterpart to speak more about what she/he is talking about.

Of course, you could simply say: "could you develop your point?", or something like that; however, in Spanish we have "podrías abundar al respecto?", which roughly translates as "could you abound on it?" or "could you be more abundant in the development of that subject?"

I'm not sure if I can use the verb abound in that way. What would be a good alternative?

Thanks!

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Wow! many great answers! I wish I could select more than one right answer. I selected "expound" because I never had heard of it; so, it has extra points for increasing my vocabulary. I also like it because it sounds very much like "abound", the one I wanted to use originally.

Thanks to all!

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5 Answers 5

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It sounds a bit like 'abound'. -- You could ask: Could you expound on that?

verb (used without object) to make a detailed statement (often followed by on).

You could also say: Could you elaborate?

verb (used without object), e·lab·o·rat·ed, e·lab·o·rat·ing. to add details in writing, speaking, etc.; give additional or fuller treatment (usually followed by on or upon): to elaborate upon a theme or an idea.

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  • 1
    I had never heard of "expound". I really liked it! "elaborate" is another great option. Thanks!
    – KarloIsaac
    Aug 3, 2019 at 19:48
  • I think expound is more to speak in great detail about something in the first place, rather than going into further detail. I like elaborate for this more than expound +1
    – Smock
    Aug 5, 2019 at 8:24
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I would use elucidate:

[Merriam-Webster]

transitive verb
: to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
// elucidate a text

intransitive verb
: to give a clarifying explanation

So:

"Could you elucidate [on that subject]"?

It has a formal aspect to it, but if you're going to be informal, you'd likely just ask, "What do you mean?" or say, "Tell me more."

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  • Thanks, @Jason Bassford. Elucidate sounds really nice; although, as you said, it is a little bit formal. I didn't know you could use elucidate in that manner.
    – KarloIsaac
    Aug 3, 2019 at 19:54
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I don't think so.

Abound refers to large quantities of something

You probably want to use expand on:

Could you expand on your point?

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  • Between expand on and expound, one, if not both, must be a historical corruption
    – vectory
    Aug 3, 2019 at 9:00
  • Of course! Simple and clear. How did I overlook it? Thanks!
    – KarloIsaac
    Aug 3, 2019 at 20:01
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abundar translates as a phrase, there is no single word:

to go into more depth on a subject
to study a subject in-depth
to go into something further or more in-depth

abundar and abound are false friends.

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  • Thanks. Going in-depth sounds good
    – KarloIsaac
    Aug 5, 2019 at 0:44
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No, you can't. Abundant is used of some thing that is in plentiful supply, and abound, similarly, refers to there being plenty of something rather than information being detailed. You could perhaps say "Can you enlarge on that topic, please?"

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  • Karl is asking about "abound," not "abundant." Could you edit your answer?
    – Mark Hubbard
    Aug 2, 2019 at 15:30
  • Thanks, @Kate Bunting. I didn't know you could use "enlarge" in that way. It sounds a little bit funny to me :)
    – KarloIsaac
    Aug 3, 2019 at 20:10
  • Try looking up 'enlarge upon'.
    – Kate Bunting
    Aug 4, 2019 at 16:34

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