a large expanse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large expanse of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a vast area or space, often in relation to land, water, or other physical dimensions. Example: "The hikers marveled at the large expanse of the valley below, stretching as far as the eye could see."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have a large expanse of area land to donate.

University of California, Berkeley

It is a large expanse of forest painted at dusk.

The New York Times

They couldn't migrate southwest because of a large expanse of a treeless and inhospitable tundra.

University of California, Berkeley

A patio in the rear of house overlooks a large expanse of lawn.

The New York Times

We emerge from the shadowy forest to a large expanse of blinding snow.

The Guardian - Travel

The works depict a fictitious forest fire, which devastates a large expanse of trees and underbrush.

The New York Times

A plantation in that context is a large expanse of a single crop grown for agricultural production.

Cornell University

A large expanse of lawn at the top of Peters Hill dips down to an apple orchard.

Harvard University

The Los Angeles Mormon Temple, like a secret fortress on a hill behind a large expanse of perfectly manicured lawn.

The New York Times

Al-ʿAyn Al-ʿAynated is a large expansituatedrtine land at the foot of Mount Ḥafīt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A decade ago, the island, which juts into the Persian Gulf, was a large expanse of mangroves and sand.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing landscapes or geographical features, use "a large expanse of" to effectively convey the scale and scope of the area. For example, "a large expanse of desert" or "a large expanse of forest".

Common error

Avoid using "a large expanse of" when a more specific adjective would provide a clearer picture. For example, instead of "a large expanse of blue", consider "a vast blue sky" or "a wide blue sea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large expanse of" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun. It serves to emphasize the size or extent of the area or object being described. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large expanse of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe considerable areas or extents. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts from news and media to academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it’s important to consider if more specific descriptive adjectives might be more effective in certain situations. Remember that similar phrases, such as "a vast expanse of" or "a wide expanse of", can offer subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vast expanse of

Replaces "large" with "vast", emphasizing the immense size.

a wide expanse of

Substitutes "large" with "wide", highlighting the breadth of the area.

a broad expanse of

Uses "broad" instead of "large", focusing on the extensive width.

a considerable expanse of

Employs "considerable" to indicate a notable or significant size.

a sweeping expanse of

Replaces "large" with "sweeping", suggesting a continuous and extensive area.

an extensive area of

Changes the structure to use "area" instead of "expanse", with "extensive" denoting a large scale.

a massive stretch of

Uses "massive" to emphasize the great size and "stretch" to suggest length.

a sizable area of

Similar to "extensive area of", but uses "sizable" to emphasize the size.

a vast tract of

Employs "tract" to specify an area of land, and "vast" to emphasize its size.

a significant stretch of

Combines "significant" to denote importance with "stretch" to indicate length or area.

FAQs

How can I use "a large expanse of" in a sentence?

You can use "a large expanse of" to describe a vast area or space, such as "The explorers crossed "a large expanse of desert"" or "The property features "a large expanse of lawn"".

What phrases are similar to "a large expanse of"?

Similar phrases include "a vast expanse of", "a wide expanse of", or "a broad expanse of". Each emphasizes the size or scope of the area being described.

Is it better to say "a large expanse of" or "a vast area of"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a large expanse of" emphasizes the continuous, open nature of the area, while "a vast area of" simply highlights its size. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "a large expanse of" and "a wide stretch of"?

"A large expanse of" generally refers to a broad, open area, while "a wide stretch of" typically implies a linear or elongated area. For example, you might refer to "a large expanse of ocean" but "a wide stretch of beach".