expand something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of increasing the size, scope, or detail of a particular subject or item. Example: "In order to provide a clearer understanding, I would like to expand on the topic of renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

From his earliest days in office, President Trump has sought to reinterpret — that is, massively expand — something called the "public charge" rule.

The Washington Post

Ubiquitous Internet communications expand something of the freedom of city parks and streets, but also the freedom of cafés and bars-commercial platforms for social interaction-so that it is available everywhere.

Harvard University

— The commissioners and athletic directors from the 11 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences departed Friday, leaving more questions than answers Little of significance will happen with the prospective conference realignment until the Big Ten decides whether to expand, something that Commissioner Jim Delany stressed would not happen until at least December.

The New York Times - Sports

We're taking a chunk of our limited resources to expand something underwritten and proven by others.

Science Magazine

The company expects to see its gross merchandise volume expand something on the order of six times in the current calendar year, when compared to 2013.

TechCrunch

However, in the new year, as the media firestorm has mostly abated around Bitcoin and its network of buyers and sellers has continued to improve and expand, something interesting has happened: Bitcoin has found and stuck to a trading range.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"It has this power of expanding something.

The New Yorker

They talked about expanding something that was working well.

The New Yorker

Watching them expanded something inside of me, and with time, I learned that I could fall in love with both of them, and that we could love each other, and others, without limit.

Vice

You can even expand on something you started, and make it something else.

WikiHow

As her movements develop a ballerina burnish, you think it's going to expand into something beautiful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand something", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being expanded and why. For example, "expand something" like your knowledge base by reading every day.

Common error

Avoid using "expand something" without specifying what aspects are being expanded. Be specific about the nature of the expansion for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand something" functions as a verb phrase, where "expand" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("something"). This phrase is used to describe the action of making a specific thing larger or more comprehensive. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science & Research

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expand something" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that signifies increasing the size, scope, or detail of a particular subject or item. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides several real-world examples. While it's not the most frequently used phrase, it is versatile and can be applied in various contexts, with a predominant presence in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific research. For greater clarity and impact, be sure to clearly indicate what is being expanded. Consider alternatives like "elaborate on something" or "extend something" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on something

Focuses on adding detail and clarity.

build upon something

Implies adding to an existing foundation.

extend something

Suggests making something longer or more comprehensive.

develop something further

Emphasizes growth and progress.

amplify something

Highlights increasing the intensity or impact.

broaden something

Indicates widening the scope or range.

augment something

Suggests adding to in order to improve.

deepen something

Focuses on increasing the depth or understanding.

enhance something

Implies improving the quality or value.

inflate something

Suggests expanding something beyond its original scope or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "expand something" to describe increasing the size, scope, or detail of a particular subject or item. For example, "We need to "expand our product line" to reach a wider audience".

What can I say instead of "expand something"?

You can use alternatives like "elaborate on something", "build upon something", or "extend something" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "expand something" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "expand something" when you want to convey the idea of making something larger, more detailed, or more comprehensive. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "expand something" and "develop something"?

"Expand something" typically refers to increasing the size or scope, while "develop something" implies improving or enhancing something over time. "Expand something" is about quantity, while "develop something" is about quality and progress.