designed to expand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to expand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has been created or intended to increase in size, scope, or capacity. Example: "The new software is designed to expand the capabilities of our existing system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The concrete came from joints designed to expand when distressed, Ms. Ortiz said.

The New York Times

"The steel was designed to expand and contract comfortably," he said.

The New York Times

And I will not sign laws designed to expand this mandate further.

The Guardian

The metal stents are designed to expand and keep the artery open.

The New York Times

But the tree-felling efforts are primarily designed to expand Wullar Lake and resuscitate shoreline marshes.

The New York Times

For the death of Christ is not a martyrdom operation designed to expand the muscle of the Christian tribe.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ceremony seemed designed to expand, complicate, tie-dye the very definition of American, while suggesting an underlying unity.

The New York Times

This is a war of conquest, designed to expand the power of religious institutions at the expense of the rest of society and the state.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first big decision will be on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project designed to expand production of the Alberta tar sands by pumping crude to Texas refineries.

The Guardian

In a Theys Op-Ed published in June, Dr. Leare Wen, an emergency-room physician andesignedalto commissionexpandthe city of Bandimore, Maryland, wrote about the "total bodily destruction" that these bullets wreak.

The New Yorker

The atrium was designed to expand and contract with the heat, using an umbrellaish series of I-beams that rested on giant ball bearings on six-story pillars.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to expand", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being expanded and the intended purpose of the expansion. For example, "The program is designed to expand access to healthcare in rural areas."

Common error

Avoid using "designed to expand" in situations where the specific benefit or area of expansion is unclear. Instead of saying "The strategy is designed to expand", specify "The strategy is designed to expand market share in the Asian market."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to expand" functions primarily as a purpose connector, linking the design or intention behind something with the goal of increasing its size, scope, or capability. Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "designed to expand" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the intended purpose of something to increase in size, scope, or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, emphasizing its versatile application. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specify what is being expanded to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "intended to broaden" or "created to enlarge" can provide nuanced variations. Understanding the different contexts in which "designed to expand" can be used, can make your communication more precise and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to broaden

Focuses on increasing the scope or range, instead of the size.

aimed at extending

Focuses on increasing the reach or duration.

created to enlarge

Highlights the act of making something bigger or more extensive.

built to increase

Highlights the construction or development with the specific goal of growth.

developed to augment

Suggests adding to or improving something, rather than just increasing its size.

set up to scale

Focuses on increasing proportionally.

engineered to amplify

Implies a significant increase or intensification.

structured to enhance

Emphasizes improvement and value addition.

fashioned to magnify

Suggests making something appear larger or more important.

conceived to inflate

Implies an increase that may be artificial or disproportionate.

FAQs

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

You can use "designed to expand" to describe the purpose or function of something that aims to increase in size, scope, or capacity. For instance, "The software update is designed to expand the system's compatibility with older devices".

What are some alternatives to "designed to expand"?

You can use alternatives like "intended to broaden", "aimed at extending", or "created to enlarge" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "designed for expansion" instead of "designed to expand"?

While "designed for expansion" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different meaning. "Designed to expand" focuses on the active process of expanding, whereas "designed for expansion" suggests a capability or potential for future expansion. The best choice depends on the intended meaning.

Can "designed to expand" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "designed to expand" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrasing like "made to grow" or "meant to increase".