In detail means thoroughly, covering all the points: the guide explained the restoration in detail. For more emphasis, say in great detail. It suits requests, instructions and reports: please describe the damage in detail, meaning where it is, how big, what it looks like.
Want to use in detail in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
explain, describe, discuss or examine + something + in detail
- The guide explained the restoration process in detail.
- We examined each complaint in detail before changing the schedule.
- Nora described the missing bracelet in great detail.
What changed
First versionPlease describe the damage in details.
RevisionPlease describe the damage in detail.
A full description has many details, so details with s seems logical. But in detail is a fixed phrase meaning thoroughly, and detail has no s in it. Details with s are the facts themselves: give me the details.
In brief or briefly means short; in detail means thorough. A detailed description uses the adjective before a noun; describe in detail uses the phrase after a verb. Long doesn't mean detailed: you can write three pages and never explain where the fault is.
Your turn
Choose the fixed expression: The engineer explained the fault in ___.
Show the answer
detail — The fixed phrase in detail has no s. Details with s are separate facts: give me the details.
Ask a technician or colleague to explain one problem in detail. Use explain or describe with in detail.
Could you explain the booking procedure in detail before I choose a date?
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.