expand the workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

"expand the workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It could be used in a number of different contexts, such as when discussing ways to increase production or staff up a business. For example, "The company decided to expand the workforce in order to meet the increased demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Traditionally Canada has sought to increase its population through immigration in order to expand the workforce and domestic markets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ministers and the NHS should prioritise efforts to relieve the growing pressures on GPs as well as a drive to significantly expand the workforce, the Health Foundation says.

The Guardian

Tuca's purpose is to train new engineers, to expand the workforce and replace, when they retire, the fiftysomethings who currently make up much of it.

The Guardian

Key issues include the need to expand the workforce trained in aging research, development of specific resources and harmonization of measures and outcomes, and a culture change within the scientific community.

Translational Research

Though initially no more than 120 people will work here, European Whole Vehicle Type Approval has already been granted for several models, and the plan is to expand the workforce to 2,000 people and produce 50,000 cars a year for the European market.

BBC

In short, while online training may expand the workforce's access options, practically speaking that may only be the case for individuals in specific age groups.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Each time the influx of workers expanded the workforce and wages dropped slightly, but subsequently recovered.

The Economist

Economists have disputed endlessly: does it promote economic growth, by expanding the workforce, or, if it happens too quickly, choke growth off?

The Economist

The rise in paid female employment has expanded the workforce and boosted the productive capacity of the economy; and the increase in women's incomes outside the home has made them more independent.

The Economist

Migrant labour also expanded the workforce, but its impact was only a tenth of the size according to Mr Carney.

BBC

"Any normal employer would try to contain those costs" by expanding the workforce or scheduling more people to work during the busiest periods, Latham said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expand the workforce", consider the specific context. Are you discussing increasing the number of employees, broadening the skills base, or diversifying the demographic composition?

Common error

Avoid using "expand the workforce" without specifying the sector or skills needed. Being specific about the type of workforce you aim to expand improves clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand the workforce" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used as part of a larger sentence to describe actions taken to increase the number of workers or the capacity of the labor pool. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand the workforce" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe increasing the number of employed individuals, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the specific context and avoid overgeneralization by clarifying the sector or skills being targeted. Alternatives like "increase the labor pool" or "grow the employee base" can provide nuanced meaning. Remember that "expand the workforce" focuses on strategies and goals, while "expanded the workforce" refers to past actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the labor pool

This alternative focuses on the resource being expanded, specifically referring to available workers.

grow the employee base

This alternative highlights the employees as the foundation of the growth.

enlarge the staff complement

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary and focuses on the completeness of the staffing.

broaden the personnel roster

This option is more formal and emphasizes the list of personnel involved.

develop the human capital

This phrase emphasizes the investment and development aspect of growing a workforce.

augment the working population

This alternative refers to the general working segment of the population.

recruit additional employees

This alternative focuses on the action of hiring more workers.

add to the payroll

This option is more direct and highlights the financial aspect of expanding the workforce.

boost manpower resources

This alternative emphasizes the strengthening of available human resources.

scale up the team size

This alternative focuses on the growth and scaling up aspect of the team.

FAQs

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

You can use "expand the workforce" to describe efforts to increase the number of employees, such as, "The company plans to "increase the labor pool" in the coming year."

What are some alternatives to "expand the workforce"?

Some alternatives include "grow the employee base", "enlarge the staff complement", or "develop the human capital", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "expanded the workforce" instead of "expand the workforce"?

Yes, "expanded the workforce" is a valid past tense form. "Expand the workforce" is often used in contexts where you are discussing future plans or general strategies, while "expanded the workforce" describes something that has already happened.

What is the difference between "expand the workforce" and "expand job opportunities"?

"Expand the workforce" refers to increasing the number of people employed by an organization or within a sector. "Expand job opportunities" refers to creating more available positions, which may or may not directly translate to an immediate expansion of the workforce.