More Details On vs. More Details About – Which is Correct?
Both “more details on” and “more details about” are correct American English phrases. Use “more details on” for a specific topic, often in formal, technical, or headline-style writing. Use “more details about” for a general subject or conversational request. In many contexts, they are interchangeable without changing the meaning materially.
More Details On or More Details About: Which Is Correct?
Both “more details on” and “more details about” are grammatically correct. The difference is mainly one of tone, emphasis, and context rather than correctness.
“More details on” often introduces information about a defined topic, process, event, or issue. It is especially common in formal, professional, technical, academic, and headline-style writing.
“More details about” is a natural, general-purpose phrase. It frequently appears in everyday conversation and is useful when asking for additional information concerning a person, place, product, plan, or subject.
In many sentences, either preposition works without changing the meaning. For example, “Please send me more details on the proposal” and “Please send me more details about the proposal” are both correct.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use “on” when you are treating the subject like a focused topic on a report, agenda, or presentation. Use “about” when you are speaking generally about a subject. A useful swap test is to replace the phrase with “additional information concerning.” If the sentence still sounds natural, either phrase will usually work.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| More details on | Noun phrase with preposition | Additional information concerning a specific topic | The website contains more details on the application process. |
| More details about | Noun phrase with preposition | Additional information concerning a person, subject, or situation | Could you provide more details about the new service? |
How to Use “More Details On”
Use “more details on” when referring to a particular topic, project, policy, procedure, event, or technical matter. The phrase has a slightly more focused and formal tone than “more details about,” although it is also common in ordinary communication.
It frequently appears in business emails, reports, instructions, announcements, presentations, and informational websites. It can also introduce a subject that has already been mentioned or is clearly defined by the context.
Example 1: The report includes more details on the company’s expansion plans.
Example 2: Please review the handbook for more details on submitting a reimbursement request.
Example 3: The presenter will provide more details on the proposed changes during tomorrow’s meeting.
Etymology of the Phrase “More Details On”
Details comes from the French détail, meaning a small part or particular item, which ultimately traces to a verb meaning “to cut into pieces.” The preposition on has Old English and Germanic origins and developed many topic-related uses, including the meaning “concerning” or “about.”
How to Use “More Details About”
Use “more details about” when requesting or presenting additional information about a broad subject, person, object, event, or situation. This phrase is highly versatile and often sounds more conversational than “more details on.”
It is a particularly natural choice in questions and informal requests. It can also be used in formal writing when the subject is general rather than narrowly defined.
Example 1: I would like more details about the weekend tour.
Example 2: The article provides more details about how the program works.
Example 3: Can you send me more details about your experience with the software?
Etymology of the Phrase “More Details About”
The noun details comes from French and refers to individual facts or particulars. The preposition about developed from Old English expressions meaning “around” or “on all sides.” Over time, it acquired the broader meaning “concerning,” which is the sense used in “more details about.”
Related Concepts
Understanding prepositions and noun phrases helps explain why both expressions are correct while still allowing for differences in tone and emphasis.
- Prepositions of topic: Words such as on and about can show that a statement concerns a particular subject. Their meanings often overlap, but context can make one sound more natural.
- Noun phrases: “More details on” and “more details about” are noun phrases built around the noun details. The word more indicates an additional quantity or amount of information.
- Register: Register refers to the level of formality in language. “More details on” can sound slightly more formal or technical, while “more details about” is often more conversational.
- Collocation: A collocation is a group of words that commonly appears together. Both “details on” and “details about” are established English collocations.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples represent natural contexts in which these phrases commonly appear in journalism, publishing, entertainment, and everyday communication:
- News writing: A report may state that officials will release more details on the investigation after reviewing the evidence.
- Technical documentation: A software guide may direct readers to a separate page for more details on configuring security settings.
- Travel publishing: A guidebook may offer more details about local transportation, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
- Film and television coverage: An entertainment article may promise more details about an upcoming series or its cast.
- Business communication: An email may ask a supplier for more details on delivery dates and more details about warranty coverage.
More Details On Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| More information on | Additional facts or explanations concerning a specific topic |
| Further details on | Additional particulars about an already identified subject |
| Additional information regarding | More formal wording for information concerning a subject |
| Specifics on | Particular facts or precise information about a topic |
More Details About Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| More information about | Additional facts or explanations concerning a general subject |
| Further information about | Additional information, often used in formal communication |
| Additional facts about | More specific pieces of information concerning a subject |
| More information regarding | A formal alternative meaning more information concerning something |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “more details on” grammatically correct?
Yes. “More details on” is grammatically correct and commonly used before the name of a specific topic, policy, process, event, or issue.
Question 2: Is “more details about” better than “more details on”?
Neither phrase is universally better. “More details about” often sounds more conversational and general, while “more details on” can sound more focused, formal, or technical. Choose the phrase that best matches your audience and context.
Question 3: Should I use “more detail” or “more details”?
Both are possible. Use more detail when referring to detail as an uncountable idea, as in “The explanation needs more detail.” Use more details when referring to additional individual facts or points, as in “The report contains more details about the project.”
Conclusion
“More details on” and “more details about” are both correct expressions. Use “on” for a focused, defined, or technical topic, and use “about” for a broader or more conversational reference. When both sound natural, choose according to tone rather than grammar. Pro tip: Consistent, context-sensitive word choice strengthens your professional reputation and makes your writing sound polished.
