expand the area

USAGE SUMMARY

"expand the area" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an increase in size, scope, or reach. For example, "The company plans to expand the area of their distribution network by opening more locations across the state."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The plan is to expand the area of the museum to 125,000 square metres.

Independent

He persuaded the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to expand the area eligible for grants to include Chinatown and Little Italy.

The New York Times

In Tanzania, REDD + funding is being used to expand the area of forest under Participatory Forest Management.

Forest Policy and Economics

This will expand the area of jobs you might apply for one day after you're done with your studies.

Stanford University

All over Europe essential wildlife habitats are destroyed – often on agriculturally worthless land – simply to expand the area eligible for subsidies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Booth said this plan would almost double the amount of wood harvested in current cutting practices and would expand the area harvested as well.

The New York Times

The water "saved" by sprinklers, lined canals and other forms of seepage control has simply been used to expand the area under irrigation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The plan was to recycle 25percentt of the city's garbage, and over the years, expand the areas of the city that recycled.

The New York Times

The fighting appeared to signal a stronger resolve by Pakistan's government to challenge moves by Taliban factions to expand the areas they control outside of Swat.

The New York Times

As Dr. Hernán Santa Cruz has told us, we must expand the areas of free trade and facilitate international trade.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

This expands the area they can build on.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand the area", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning. For example, are you referring to physical space, a metaphorical area like influence, or something else?

Common error

Avoid using "expand the area" when the intention is to improve the quality or characteristics within a defined space, rather than increasing its physical or metaphorical size. In such cases, consider phrases like "enhance the area" or "improve the region" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand the area" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "expand" is the verb and "the area" is the direct object. It describes the action of making something larger in size or scope, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand the area" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of making something larger, whether physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedia sources, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, consider whether you are referring to physical size, scope, or some other dimension, and explore alternatives like "enlarge the zone" or "extend the territory" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enlarge the zone

Uses "enlarge" instead of "expand", providing a direct synonym.

extend the territory

Replaces "area" with "territory", emphasizing geographical or political reach.

increase the expanse

Uses "increase" and "expanse", offering a more formal tone.

broaden the scope

Shifts the focus from physical space to abstract scope or range.

stretch the boundary

Suggests making the area larger, potentially beyond its original limits.

augment the region

A more formal alternative, using "augment" and "region".

widen the perimeter

Emphasizes the outer boundary being expanded.

magnify the space

Emphasizes making the space significantly larger.

grow the domain

Implies a gradual increase in control or influence over an area.

develop the location

Focuses on development or improvement in addition to expanding.

FAQs

How can I use "expand the area" in a sentence?

You can use "expand the area" to describe increasing the size of a physical space, like "The museum plans to expand the area of its exhibits", or a metaphorical space, like "The company hopes to expand the area of its market share".

What are some alternatives to "expand the area"?

Some alternatives include "enlarge the zone", "extend the territory", or "broaden the scope" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "expansion of the area"?

Yes, "expansion of the area" is a correct and common noun phrase that refers to the act or process of making an area larger.

What's the difference between "expand the area" and "improve the area"?

"Expand the area" refers specifically to increasing the size or scope, whereas "improve the area" implies enhancing the quality or condition without necessarily increasing its size.