expand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of increasing in size, scope, or detail, often in the context of ideas or information. Example: "In your essay, please expand on your main argument to provide more clarity and depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once completed, it will expand an already lengthy list of outsized projects that are apparently intended to burnish the reputation of the former Soviet Union's poorest country.

The Guardian

Industrial nations can at best give a developing country a shallow surface insight into their know-how, and even then only in the context of foreign investment deals in which developed countries that host foreign direct investment inflows skilfully negotiate and secure such agreements, and have skilled workforces to absorb and expand on such prowess.

The Guardian

World Wildlife Fund Australia welcomed the end to offshore dumping but questioned the need to expand the port during a coal industry downturn.

The Guardian

We are creatures of habit, particularly when it comes to the bad ones, and struggle to adjust when called upon to expand beyond behavioural settings hardwired in our youth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When asked to expand on why he did not sing 'God Save the Queen', Morgan added: "It's a long story.

The Guardian - Sport

We intend to expand Colab internationally by the end of the year.

The Guardian

Lurking in the background is Brazilian giant Vale which is planning a $20bn investment to expand production by another 90m tonnes by 2018.

The Guardian - Business

This is important because the nearest record of a Dryas' monkey is 400km to the west, meaning, if confirmed, the discovery would significantly expand the range of a primate considered critically endangered.

The Guardian

"As the ambition of Katie's storytelling has expanded, we've needed to expand the canvas," says Leo Warner, the video director who has worked with Mitchell since 2007.

The Guardian

Osborne is braced for the economy, which will grow by 0.9% in 2011, to expand by just 0.7% next year – down from the 2.5% estimated in the March budget.

The Guardian

The sector could divide between those institutions that plan to expand (particularly smaller institutions, alternative providers and those that have lost out from the high-tariff policy) and those looking to maintain their current status (typically older and more traditional institutions).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand", ensure the context clearly indicates what is growing or increasing. For instance, "expand the business" is clear, but ensure the specific area of expansion is understood.

Common error

Avoid using "expand" too generally. Instead of saying "we need to expand", specify what needs to grow, such as "expand our market share" or "expand the product line" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "expand" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the action of becoming or making something larger or more extensive. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, from physical dimensions to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expand" is a versatile verb used to describe the process of growth or increase in size, scope, or detail. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and finds frequent usage across varied contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific domains. While suitable for formal and informal settings, being specific about what is expanding improves clarity. Alternatives include "enlarge", "extend", and "increase", which each offer subtly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Enlarge

Implies making something physically larger in size.

Extend

Suggests making something longer in space or time.

Increase

Refers to making something greater in number, amount, or degree.

Augment

Implies adding something to enhance or improve it.

Develop

Suggests growing or evolving something over time.

Amplify

Indicates increasing the volume or intensity of something.

Elaborate

Means adding more detail or complexity to something.

Broaden

Suggests making something wider in scope or range.

Inflate

Implies an increase in size or volume, often artificially.

Spread out

Suggests occupying more space or covering a larger area.

FAQs

How can I use "expand" in a sentence?

You can use "expand" to describe increasing the size, scope, or extent of something. For example, "The company plans to "expand its operations"" or "Could you "expand on that" point further?".

What are some alternatives to the word "expand"?

Alternatives to "expand" include "enlarge", "extend", "increase", and "develop", depending on the context. Each word provides a slightly different nuance of growth or increase.

When is it appropriate to use "expand on" instead of simply "expand"?

"Expand on" is best used when you want someone to provide more detail or explanation about something. For instance, "Can you "expand on your plans" for the project?" implies a request for greater detail.

What is the difference between "expand" and "extend"?

"Expand" generally refers to increasing the size, scope, or range of something, while "extend" often refers to making something longer in a physical or temporal sense. You might "expand a business", but "extend a deadline".