a vast expanse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast expanse of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a wide, open area such as a landscape. Example sentence: "We passed through a vast expanse of desert on our way to the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Around me, a vast expanse of empty courts.

The New Yorker

Today, the lake is a vast expanse of salt flats.

The New Yorker

It's a vast expanse of peat bog, very different from leafy Surrey, where I'm originally from.

Independent

Huge dunes flank a vast expanse of sand that stretches for several miles.

The Guardian - Travel

Soon there was a vast expanse of dun-colored desert below.

The New York Times

The foundation sits beside the Greenwich Polo Fields, a vast expanse of greenery that Brant owns.

The New Yorker

His factory is a vast expanse of brushland in west Texas.

The Economist

Then her staff proposed to renovate the playground, a vast expanse of asphalt fissured.

The New York Times

Mali is a vast expanse of dunes facing endemic drought and spreading desert.

The New York Times

, country that stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Russia, country that stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast expanse of" to effectively convey the scale and grandeur of landscapes, territories, or abstract concepts in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast expanse of" for areas that are only moderately sized. Reserve it for truly large or seemingly endless spaces to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "a vast expanse of" functions to describe something as being very large and spread out. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatical and widely used. It emphasizes the scale or magnitude of the noun it modifies, such as "land", "water", or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a vast expanse of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something very large or spread out. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing to emphasize the scale or magnitude of a subject. While versatile, it's best reserved for areas or concepts that genuinely warrant such a description to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like ""a large area of"" or ""a great extent of"" can be used when a less emphatic description is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large area of

Uses "large area" instead of "vast expanse", focusing on the size of the region.

a wide area of

Emphasizes the breadth of the area rather than its overall size.

a broad area of

Similar to "a wide area", but may suggest a more continuous or uninterrupted space.

a great extent of

Shifts the focus from physical space to the degree or scope of something.

an extensive stretch of

Highlights the length or continuous nature of the area.

a sizable portion of

Indicates a considerable part or segment of something.

a significant tract of

Uses "tract" to refer specifically to a large area of land.

a considerable amount of

Refers to a large quantity rather than a physical space.

a substantial volume of

Implies a large quantity or capacity of something.

a sweeping vista of

Emphasizes the visual grandeur and breadth of the view.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vast expanse of" to describe large areas like "The desert was "a vast expanse of" sand" or abstract concepts like "The internet offers "a vast expanse of" information".

What are some alternatives to "a vast expanse of"?

Alternatives include "a large area of", "a wide area of", or "a great extent of", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "of" after "a vast expanse"?

Yes, the correct and idiomatic form is "a vast expanse of". Omitting "of" would be grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

Can "a vast expanse of" be used for non-physical things?

Yes, it can be used metaphorically for abstract concepts like knowledge, time, or opportunities. For example, "The library contained "a vast expanse of" literature."