a big expansion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big expansion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant increase or growth in size, scope, or capacity, often in a business or organizational context. Example: "The company announced a big expansion of its operations to meet the growing demand for its products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A big expansion in travel.

The Guardian

There never was a big expansion of government spending.

The New York Times

It has broken ground on a big expansion to its campus.

The Economist

Most eye-catching is a big expansion of direct transport links.

The Economist

The center must provide guidance to states as they cope with a big expansion of Medicaid.

The New York Times

Dollars should follow pupils, through a big expansion of voucher schemes or charter schools.

The Economist

Some skeptics of the new charter feared a big expansion of centralized power.

The New Yorker

Despite a big expansion in shelter capacity since 2004, demand still outstrips supply.

The Economist

Indeed, the next move on entitlements may well be a big expansion.

The New Yorker

Mr. Au and Mr. Bull were also gambling on a big expansion of their headquarters.

The New York Times

Steady growth paid for a big expansion in welfare programs, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context. While "a big expansion" is generally applicable, alternatives like "substantial increase" or "significant growth" might be more appropriate depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid pairing "a big expansion" with weak verbs like "see" or "have". Instead, use stronger verbs that highlight the action of expanding, such as "undergo", "implement", or "announce".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big expansion" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition, indicating the thing that is expanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big expansion" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe significant growth or increase in size, scope, or capacity. Ludwig AI’s analysis shows its prevalence across diverse sources, including news, business, and scientific publications. While versatile, consider nuances when choosing alternatives such as "substantial increase" or "significant growth" for specific contexts. Ensure strong verb choices to emphasize the action of expansion and be mindful that while widely applicable, a more formal option might be suitable in certain settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial increase

Replaces "expansion" with "increase", indicating a rise in quantity or degree.

a significant growth

Substitutes "big" with "significant" and "expansion" with "growth", emphasizing the development aspect.

a large scale extension

Uses "large scale" instead of "big" to highlight the extent, and "extension" for the act of expanding.

a considerable enlargement

Employs "considerable" to emphasize the size and "enlargement" focusing on becoming larger.

a major development

Replaces the entire phrase with a term focusing on the progress or advancement achieved.

a widespread augmentation

Uses "widespread" to suggest broad reach and "augmentation" for a state of being added to or enhanced.

a massive escalation

Indicates an abrupt and large increase often implying intensity or urgency.

a dramatic surge

Highlights a sudden and substantial increase, often implying a rapid change.

a sweeping transformation

Implies a comprehensive and extensive change, going beyond just size.

a quantum leap

Suggests a significant and transformative jump, often in terms of progress or innovation.

FAQs

How can I use "a big expansion" in a sentence?

You can use "a big expansion" to describe the growth of a company, project, or any other entity. For example, "The company is planning "a big expansion" into new markets."

What are some alternatives to "a big expansion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a substantial increase", "significant growth", or "a large-scale extension".

Is "a big expansion" formal or informal?

"A big expansion" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might opt for a more precise term like "a considerable enlargement".

What's the difference between "a big expansion" and "a major development"?

"A big expansion" specifically refers to an increase in size or scope, whereas "a major development" implies progress or advancement. While expansions can be developments, not all developments are expansions.