expand in size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand in size" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something gets bigger or increases in size. For example, "The company has been expanding in size over the past two years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The history of strip cartoons!' As a result, novels expand in size but shrink in significance.

The Guardian - Books

That much more water means the city's flood risk zones could expand in size.

The New York Times

As he stayed involved, he has seen the floats expand in size and complexity.

The New York Times

They shed the old cuticle, expand in size, and secrete a new cuticle that subsequently hardens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The issue is a growing concern as mines continue to expand in size, depth and infrastructure.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

As Grids rapidly expand in size and complexity, the task of benchmarking and testing, interactive or unattended, quickly becomes unmanageable.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

For decades, the European Union had moved forward, always expanding in size and influence.

The New York Times

CARNEY: It's been good for the Corporation to have expanded in size [starting in 2011].

Harvard University

In the wake of these victories, Norquist's weekly meetings expanded in size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the average farm expanded in size, farmers began to specialize.

The New York Times

It was found that the laser affected zone expands in size at higher laser pulse frequency.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand in size" when you want to clearly and directly communicate that something is becoming physically larger. For instance, "The tumor began to expand in size, requiring immediate intervention."

Common error

Be cautious of using "expand in size" in phrases where the expansion is already implied. For example, instead of saying "the balloon expanded in size and inflated", it is more concise to say "the balloon inflated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand in size" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the process of something becoming larger. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand in size" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the process of something becoming larger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific and academic writing to news reports. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by ensuring that the context doesn't already imply expansion. Synonyms like "grow larger" or "scale up" can offer more concise alternatives depending on the intended nuance. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalent use in science, news media, and academic domains, highlighting its broad applicability and acceptance in diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow larger

This is a simpler and more direct way to express the idea of increasing in size.

enlarge

A single-word alternative that is straightforward and commonly used.

become bigger

This is a very basic and informal way of saying "expand in size".

increase in dimensions

This alternative is more formal and precise, often used in technical contexts.

extend in area

Focuses on the surface area increasing, rather than overall size.

scale up

Implies a proportional increase, often used in business or technological contexts.

swell

Suggests an increase in size due to internal pressure or absorption.

broaden

Implies widening rather than a general increase in all dimensions.

dilate

Often used in medical or scientific contexts, suggesting expansion from a central point.

magnify

Implies making something appear larger, often through optical means, rather than an actual increase in size.

FAQs

What does "expand in size" mean?

The phrase "expand in size" means to become larger or increase in physical dimensions. It's a straightforward way to describe something growing bigger.

What are some synonyms for "expand in size"?

You can use alternatives such as "grow larger", "increase in dimensions", or "scale up" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "expand in size"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English to describe something getting bigger.

How can I avoid redundancy when using "expand in size"?

Ensure that the context doesn't already imply expansion. For example, instead of "the company expanded in size and grew", you can simply say "the company grew".