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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009Expound/Expand
How do you distinguish between "expound" and "expand"? Many sources consider them synonyms in the senses relating to the discussion of ideas, and some dictionaries use one to define the other. But when you look closely at examples cited in these sources, some patterns seem to emerge. Although "expound on" is very common, some people (including me) think you expound a theory, an idea, a thesis, but don't expound _on_ it. Expounding has a mainly explanatory function. The emphasis is on conveying a detailed account of the subject. To expand on something you have said is to give further details, fill in some details that were missing in the first account made. Both involve providing details, but the first is more systematic and the second emphasizes the _addition_ of details. That's my understanding. What do you think? Paul Brians >How do you distinguish between "expound" and "expand"? Many sources >consider them synonyms in the senses relating to the discussion of [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >What do you think? One basic difference that you have not mentioned is that you can expound on a subject the very first time it is brought up in a conversation. Ask someone here about something, and there's a good chance they can and will expound on it. Then, someone will come along and expand on it. And then someone will come along and further expand on it. You included "the _addition_ of details", but not that expounding usually comes before expanding if it is done at all. Expounding need not come before expanding, though. An unexpounded comment may be expanded on.  SignatureTony Cooper - Orlando, Florida > How do you distinguish between "expound" and "expand"? Many sources > consider them synonyms in the senses relating to the discussion of [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > What do you think? You're right. You can expand without expounding, and you can add "on" to "expand" but not to "expound". But tell that to those who equate "fortuitous" and "fortunate" and see how far it gets you. SignatureMike. >You can expand without expounding, and you can add "on" to >"expand" but not to "expound". But tell that to those who equate >"fortuitous" and "fortunate" and see how far it gets you. "I've come to pay the fine and retrieve my car," Tom expounded. "Those black and white bears will soon be extinct," Tom expanded. James >> You can expand without expounding, and you can add "on" to >> "expand" but not to "expound". But tell that to those who equate >> "fortuitous" and "fortunate" and see how far it gets you. > > "I've come to pay the fine and retrieve my car," Tom expounded. > "Those black and white bears will soon be extinct," Tom expanded. "This leaflet says 'The wages of sin is death,' " Tom extracted. "That's enough modelling for one day," Tom exposed. (OK, not as good as yours, but they'll keep the pot a-bilin' for now.) SignatureMike. >>> You can expand without expounding, and you can add "on" to >>> "expand" but not to "expound". But tell that to those who equate [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >(OK, not as good as yours, but they'll keep the pot a-bilin' for now.) "Marathon is a silly name for a chocolate bar," Tom snickered. James > >> "I've come to pay the fine and retrieve my car," Tom expounded. > >> "Those black and white bears will soon be extinct," Tom expanded. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > "Marathon is a silly name for a chocolate bar," Tom snickered. "That's a fantastic comic book," Tom marveled. Brian SignatureIf televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up. -- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com) >> >> "I've come to pay the fine and retrieve my car," Tom expounded. >> >> "Those black and white bears will soon be extinct," Tom expanded. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >"That's a fantastic comic book," Tom marveled. I like that. "I wouldn't try to do that backwards in high heels," said Tom gingerly. James >> >> "I've come to pay the fine and retrieve my car," Tom expounded. >> >> "Those black and white bears will soon be extinct," Tom expanded. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >"That's a fantastic comic book," Tom marveled. "You can have any colour you like", said Ford, blackly. SignatureRobin (BrE) Herts, England Robin Bignall filted: >>> >> "I've come to pay the fine and retrieve my car," Tom expounded. >>> >> "Those black and white bears will soon be extinct," Tom expanded. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >> >"You can have any colour you like", said Ford, blackly. "Let me know when the bishop makes his move", said Tom obliquely....r Signature"You got Schadenfreude on my Weltanschauung!" "You got Weltanschauung in my Schadenfreude!" >"Let me know when the bishop makes his move", said Tom obliquely....r "Tallinn Chess Club has won about twenty games," Tom estimated. James >>"Let me know when the bishop makes his move", said Tom obliquely....r > > "Tallinn Chess Club has won about twenty games," Tom estimated. I recently set a clue in a crossword: "I threw a ball and won a coconut, said Tom ...". SignatureOnline waterways route planner: http://canalplan.org.uk development version: http://canalplan.eu >>>"Let me know when the bishop makes his move", said Tom obliquely....r >> >> "Tallinn Chess Club has won about twenty games," Tom estimated. > >I recently set a clue in a crossword: "I threw a ball and won a coconut, >said Tom ...". shyly Here's a twist that invokes a very old joke: "When hair meets hair it's," said Tom, "indefinitely." James >>>"Let me know when the bishop makes his move", said Tom obliquely....r >> >> "Tallinn Chess Club has won about twenty games," Tom estimated. > > I recently set a clue in a crossword: "I threw a ball and won a coconut, > said Tom ...". shyly. >> How do you distinguish between "expound" and "expand"? Many sources >> consider them synonyms in the senses relating to the discussion of [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > to "expand" but not to "expound". But tell that to those who equate > "fortuitous" and "fortunate" and see how far it gets you. One meaning of "to expound" is "to comment". In that sense, "to expound on" is quite ordinary. See MWCD10 and especially AHD4 (the intransitive verb example). SignatureSkitt (AmE) >>> How do you distinguish between "expound" and "expand"? Many sources >>> consider them synonyms in the senses relating to the discussion of [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > See MWCD10 and especially AHD4 (the intransitive verb example). No likea. And of course Paul's question arose from the frequency of similar uses. I see OED has "comment on", but not "comment". This suggests the use I don't like is probably quite recent. (Bear in mind that I adhere to a century-ish view of recency!) SignatureMike. Paul Brians: > Although "expound on" is very common, some people (including me) think > you expound a theory, an idea, a thesis, but don't expound _on_ it. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Both involve providing details, but the first is more systematic and > the second emphasizes the _addition_ of details. I agree except for the first part: I have no problem with "expound on". SignatureMark Brader | (Monosyllables being forbidden to doctors of philosophy, Toronto | such truths are called "invariants" in the trade.) msb@vex.net | -- Jeff Prothero > How do you distinguish between "expound" and "expand"? Many sources > consider them synonyms in the senses relating to the discussion of [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Paul Brians What sources consider them synonyms, and which dictionaries use them to define each other? Not American Heritage! |
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