enlarge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'enlarge' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of making something bigger. For example: "I need to enlarge the photo so I can get a better look at it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Click to enlarge, and debate the strip below the line.

The Guardian - Sport

But it didn't: clicking on the resized photo, he realised, would enlarge it to fill the whole screen, making it once more NSFW unless – presumably – you work for Playboy or, you'd think, 4chan.

The Guardian

Mark Butler, Labor's environment spokesman, told Guardian Australia that a government-commissioned report placed a "serious question mark" over the proposal to dredge 3m cubic metres of seabed in order to enlarge a coal port at Abbot Point in Queensland.

The Guardian

The B Team brings together an initial 14 leaders from major corporations around the world, including Unilever, Natura, Celtel, Tata and Kering, in an attempt to enlarge projects that demonstrate that long-term business success can be built only by prioritising people and planet alongside profit.

The Guardian

Last week, the environment minister, Mark Butler, deferred a decision on whether to allow the dredging of the seabed to enlarge the Abbot Point port, near the Queensland town of Bowen, to allow for the export of more coal.

The Guardian

Other measures destined to be uprooted include a 1536 act to enlarge the churchyard of St Margaret's Church in Southwark, acts to tax excess profits made by businesses during the second world war and the Upper Assam Tea Company's Act 1898.

The Guardian

By helping people to make forward-looking decisions for themselves that they cannot easily renege on later, they enlarge their freedom, making it possible for them to do things they otherwise could not do.

The Economist

Last month construction workers launched a general strike in pursuit of huge pay increases, which has left the project to enlarge the Panama Canal paralysed for the second time this year (the first occasion was a row with a construction consortium about cost overruns).

The Economist

Iran says it with then greatly enlarge its programme, bringing its "breakout time" (the time needed to produce enough fissile material for a single bomb) down from the year or so that the deal is meant to guarantee to weeks or days.Mr Obama sees the deal, due to be finalised at the end of this month, as making good his promise to curb weapons of mass destruction.

The Economist

Many of the delegates to the convention want to enlarge the EU's constitutional ambitions, and indeed to strive for the fastest possible movement towards a United States of Europe (a proposal to make that the EU's new name has been tabled, by the way).

The Economist

But those reliefs are mostly redundant: they enlarge the tax code but do no real harm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enlarge" when you want to convey making something physically bigger, or expanding something in scope or detail. Be mindful of the context to ensure it fits the tone and formality of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "enlarge" in overly casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "make bigger" or "increase" might be more appropriate. "Enlarge" can sometimes sound overly formal in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "enlarge" primarily functions as a verb. It describes the action of making something bigger, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its use in sentences from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enlarge" is a versatile verb that means to make something bigger, whether physically or in scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news media and formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, be mindful of your audience and context to ensure it's the most appropriate word choice. Remember to consider synonyms like "expand" or "augment" for different nuances. With its frequent use and clear meaning, understanding how to use "enlarge" effectively will surely enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make bigger

Replaces "enlarge" with a more direct and simpler expression.

increase in size

Focuses on the dimensional aspect of making something larger.

expand

Suggests a broadening or extension in scope or area.

magnify

Implies making something appear larger, often through optical means or exaggeration.

dilate

Specifically refers to widening or expanding, often used in medical or technical contexts.

augment

Suggests adding to something to increase its size or value.

amplify

Implies increasing the intensity or effect of something, as well as its size.

blow up

Informal way of saying make something bigger, as a picture.

broaden

Suggests increasing the scope or range.

scale up

Suggests increasing production, operation or similar.

FAQs

How can I use "enlarge" in a sentence?

You can use "enlarge" to describe the act of making something bigger, such as "I need to "enlarge" this photo to see the details better" or "The company plans to "enlarge" its operations next year".

What are some synonyms for "enlarge"?

Alternatives to "enlarge" include "expand", "magnify", "increase in size", "dilate", and "augment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "enlarge" and "expand"?

"Enlarge" generally refers to making something physically bigger or more extensive. "Expand" can also mean to "increase" in scope, influence, or detail, not just physical size. For example, you might "enlarge" a photo but "expand" a business.

When is it appropriate to use "enlarge" in formal writing?

"Enlarge" is appropriate in formal writing when you need a precise term for making something bigger. In more formal contexts, you may also consider other synonyms such as "extend" or "augment".