expand horizons

USAGE SUMMARY

"expand horizons" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to broadening someone's knowledge or experience in a certain area. For example, "Taking a summer job abroad was a great way to expand my horizons".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But he is always looking to expand horizons at the counter and at workshops.

The New York Times

One ad, promoting a camera, emphasized photography's capacity to expand horizons.

The New York Times

Although the instrumentations seem mostly geared to soothe young ears, some may tickle or provoke, and even expand horizons.

The New York Times - Arts

Exposure to diversity alone often is not enough to purge cultural illiteracy, but personal experience does expand horizons.

Princeton University

These papers expand horizons and interconnections to various types and methodologies of research on environmental dynamics from the Pliocene up to the present: review articles and regional case studies cover Nigeria, Cameroon, selected areas of the Congo basin, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa.

Stanford University

Beginning with topics such as changes in climate and vegetation cover, the papers expand horizons and interconnections to various types of environmental dynamics from the Cainozoic up to the present; moreover, the aspect of human influence since the Late Quaternary is related to many of the areas studied.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It has been about educating, expanding horizons, presenting the unexpected.

The New York Times - Magazine

This can lead to expanded horizons but also contracted perspective.

The New York Times - Books

After the war, Ned Nye's compulsion grew to fill his expanded horizons.

The New Yorker

This season wasn't about expanding horizons, it was about giving comfort and restoring confidence.

The New York Times - Arts

"Who knows what will happen?" the director said of the museum's expanding horizons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand horizons" when you want to emphasize the idea of increasing someone's knowledge, experience, or understanding in a general sense. It's suitable for describing educational opportunities, travel, or personal growth experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "expand horizons" in contexts where a more literal phrase would be more appropriate. For example, don't say "The new building expands the city's horizons" when you mean "changes the city's skyline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand horizons" functions as a metaphorical expression, suggesting the act of increasing one's knowledge, understanding, or experience. It often acts as a verb phrase following a subject, as Ludwig AI confirms, indicating the action of broadening perspectives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand horizons" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the process of broadening one's knowledge, experience, or perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. Analysis of example sentences from Ludwig shows that it is most frequently used in News & Media and Academic contexts, with a neutral register making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To effectively use this phrase, consider its metaphorical nature and avoid overly literal interpretations. Alternatives like "broaden perspectives" or "widen outlook" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. In summary, "expand horizons" is a versatile and valuable phrase for conveying the idea of personal and intellectual growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broaden perspectives

Focuses on intellectual growth and understanding different viewpoints.

widen outlook

Emphasizes changing one's general view of the world.

extend awareness

Highlights increasing knowledge and understanding of a particular subject or area.

enrich experience

Focuses on gaining more diverse and valuable life experiences.

deepen understanding

Stresses achieving a more profound comprehension of complex topics.

broaden scope

Highlights expanding the range or extent of something.

stretch understanding

Emphasizes challenging existing knowledge and beliefs to encompass new ideas.

enhance insight

Focuses on improving one's ability to understand hidden meanings or underlying truths.

enlarge viewpoint

Highlights adopting a more inclusive and comprehensive perspective.

develop vision

Focuses on cultivating a long-term strategic outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "expand horizons" in a sentence?

You can use "expand horizons" to describe activities or experiences that broaden one's knowledge or perspective. For example: "Traveling to new countries can "expand horizons" and foster cultural understanding."

What are some alternatives to saying "expand horizons"?

Some alternatives to "expand horizons" include "broaden perspectives", "widen outlook", and "extend awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "expand horizons" or "broaden horizons"?

Both "expand horizons" and "broaden horizons" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on personal preference, as they have nearly identical meanings.

In what contexts is "expand horizons" most appropriately used?

"Expand horizons" is often used in educational, travel, and personal development contexts to describe experiences that lead to increased knowledge, understanding, or a broader perspective.