expand in numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand in numbers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an increase in quantity or population, such as in contexts related to growth or expansion. Example: "The organization aims to expand in numbers over the next year to better serve the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Ever since then, their roles in the military have continued to expand in numbers, skills and responsibilities.

Huffington Post

Second, it must have the ability to colonize/infect an individual and to expand in numbers there.

Plosone

Chemokinetic cells were removed from the underside of the filter by trypsinization and were allowed to expand in numbers by culturing for two days in full serum.

BMC Cancer

Under Koonin's scenario, mitochondrial group II introns inserted into the host genome sweep to fixation in the population via drift, and subsequently expand in numbers.

Biology Direct

The key objective of this group of parasitic protists (obligate parasites) is to infect new hosts and expand in numbers for their species survival/dominance.

BioMed Research International

In humans, CD16+ monocytes were observed to significantly expand in numbers under numerous inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, HIV infections and autoimmune disorders, which may be attributed to enhanced survival.

Cell Death and Disease

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This looks set to rise again, as clinics expand in number and in scope.The industry's two leaders are CVS Caremark, a pharmacy with 640 clinics, and Walgreens, with 372.

The Economist

The dashed blue line indicates when conservancies began to expand in number and size in 2006.

Pastoralism

The progenitor cells (undifferentiated A spermatogonia) expand in number via the formation of syncytial chains by mitosis.

Stem Cell Research

It assumes that any virus present in excess of a threshold level activates APC that, in turn, activate CTL that expand in number and become armed "effector" cells.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

Although we do not anticipate that the D principles will expand in number very much, we regard them as 'work-in-progress': further candidates have already been suggested.

Crime Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand in numbers", ensure the context clearly indicates what is increasing. Be specific about the entities or items that are growing in quantity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "expand in numbers" when a simpler phrase like "increase" or "grow" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or stilted. Reserve it for situations where the numerical expansion is a key aspect of the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand in numbers" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of a group or population increasing in quantity. Ludwig examples show usage across diverse contexts like military roles, bacterial colonies, and cell populations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expand in numbers" describes the process of growth or increase in quantity, often within scientific or formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. While less common in everyday speech, it is suitable for technical or academic writing where precision is valued. Alternatives like "increase in quantity" or "grow in size" may be more appropriate in simpler contexts. Its usage is mostly encountered in Science and News & Media. Remember to ensure clarity about what is specifically increasing when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase numerically

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of the growth, making it explicit that the rise is in count.

increase in quantity

Focuses on a general rise in amount, applicable to countable items or units, slightly broader than specifying 'numbers'.

grow in size

Implies an increase in physical dimensions or scale, which might not always directly relate to numerical growth.

multiply in population

Specifically refers to an increase in the number of individuals within a group or species.

proliferate

Implies a rapid and abundant increase, often used in biological or abstract contexts, more intense than simple expansion.

enlarge in scale

Suggests an increase in scope or extent, not necessarily tied to a specific count.

escalate in count

Suggests a rapid and often concerning increase in number, implying a problem or urgency.

augment in amount

Focuses on adding to an existing quantity, implying supplementation rather than pure growth.

swell in multitude

Evokes a large and impressive increase in number, often used in more descriptive or literary contexts.

build up in volume

Implies a gradual accumulation or increase in capacity, potentially less direct than numerical growth.

FAQs

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

You can use "expand in numbers" to describe an increase in quantity or population. For example: "The goal is to "expand in numbers" to reach more customers" or "The bacteria "expand in numbers" rapidly under optimal conditions."

What's a good alternative to "expand in numbers"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "increase in quantity", "grow in size", or "proliferate". Choose the option that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "expand in numbers" or "increase in number"?

Both "expand in numbers" and "increase in number" are grammatically correct. "Expand in numbers" emphasizes the process of becoming more numerous, while "increase in number" focuses on the resulting state of being more numerous. The choice depends on the specific emphasis you want to make.

In what context is it most appropriate to use the phrase "expand in numbers"?

The phrase "expand in numbers" is particularly appropriate in scientific, formal or technical contexts where precise and somewhat elevated language is suitable. While grammatically valid for general use, more common contexts might prefer less formal alternatives.