ability to expand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to expand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's capacity to increase in size or scope, to learn or understand more, or to grow in a positive way. For example, "The company is looking to hire new employees with the ability to expand their knowledge of the industry quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even so, the agency's ability to expand operations is limited.

The New York Times

They are also constraining its ability to expand quickly.

The New York Times

What about the loss of the grid, hampering MK's ability to expand?

The Guardian

The group argued that a 1971 agreement with the city restricted the museum's ability to expand.

The New York Times

Still, as what Moretti called a "distribution monster," YouTube is crucial to Vice's ability to expand.

The New Yorker

But its new service remains untested, leaving doubts about its ability to expand.

The New York Times

Will there be lasting effects on G.E.'s ability to expand in Europe?

The New York Times

All the criticism was hurting its reputation and its ability to expand.

The New York Times

The new terminal will have 40 gates and the ability to expand to 100 gates.

The New York Times

Chicago will be key to Trump's ability to expand his lead as the Republican frontrunner.

The Guardian

Foote's uncanny ability to expand another writer's narrative was an offshoot of his ability to listen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the long-term prospects of a business, use "ability to expand" to highlight its scalability and potential for future growth. Ensure that you provide specific examples of how this expansion can be achieved.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating an entity's "ability to expand" without providing concrete evidence or a realistic plan. Inflated claims can damage credibility and set unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to expand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the capability or potential of something to grow, increase in size, or extend its scope. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across diverse contexts, from business to science.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to expand" is a frequently used and grammatically sound noun phrase that conveys the capacity for growth or extension. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that your claims are supported by evidence and avoid overstating the potential for expansion. Consider alternatives like "capacity for growth" or "potential to develop" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity for growth

Focuses on the potential for future development, emphasizing inherent capability.

potential to develop

Highlights the possibility of evolving or improving over time.

room for improvement

Indicates that further expansion or refinement is possible and desirable.

scope for extension

Emphasizes the opportunity to broaden the reach or application of something.

latitude for growth

Suggests a degree of freedom or flexibility in allowing expansion.

opportunity to scale

Focuses on the ability to increase in size or efficiency, particularly in a business context.

scope to broaden

Highlights the chance to increase in range or degree.

avenue for enlargement

Suggests a path or method for increasing the size or scope of something.

margin for increasing

Emphasizes the existence of resources or space for growth.

potential for amplification

Suggests an ability to enhance or intensify something.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to expand" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to expand" to describe the capacity of something to grow, increase, or develop. For example, "The company's "capacity for growth" is significant due to its innovative products."

What are some alternatives to "ability to expand"?

Alternatives include "potential to develop", "room for improvement", or "scope for extension", depending on the specific context.

Is "ability to expand on" grammatically correct, and how does it differ from "ability to expand"?

"Ability to expand on" implies elaborating or providing more details about a specific topic. "Ability to expand", on the other hand, refers to the general capability to grow or increase in size or scope.

What factors might limit an "ability to expand"?

Factors that can limit the "ability to expand" include financial constraints, regulatory restrictions, lack of resources, or market saturation.