expand to

USAGE SUMMARY

"expand to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a concept that takes on a larger scope than what it is initially associated with. Example: Through our work, we have managed to expand our services to reach a wider range of customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

M.L.S. needs to expand to evolve.

The New York Times - Sports

Simple will have to expand to survive.

The New York Times - Tech

Soon, two lanes expand to three.

The New York Times

The sponges expand to stop internal bleeding.

The Guardian

I wanted to expand to Seattle.

The New York Times

By 1959, he'd helped the company expand to 100 locations.

Independent

The prime minister's office cannot expand to do everything.

The Economist

Iger added, however, that DisneyLife could expand to include these.

Independent

When will the program expand to include African applicants?

The New Yorker

"There was an opportunity to expand to all action sports".

The New York Times - Sports

El Teniente urgently needs to expand to a deeper level.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand to" to clearly indicate the direction or scope of growth or extension. For example, "The company plans to expand to international markets next year."

Common error

Avoid using "expand to" when the intended meaning is simply to "increase" or "grow" without a specific target or destination. For instance, instead of "The business will expand to" consider "The business will grow" if there is no specific target market.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand to" functions as a verb phrase that typically requires a subject and an object to form a complete sentence. It indicates the action of something increasing in size, scope, or extent and reaching a particular target or destination. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand to" is a very common and versatile expression used to describe the act of something growing or extending its reach. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, primarily in news, wiki, formal and business settings. Related phrases such as "extend to" or "grow into" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. When using "expand to", ensure that the direction or scope of growth is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend to

Uses a different verb to convey a similar meaning of reaching or including something more.

broaden to

Highlights the widening of scope or range to include more elements or aspects.

widen to

Similar to "broaden to", emphasizes the act of making something wider or more encompassing.

grow into

Implies a gradual development or transformation into something larger or more inclusive.

enlarge to

Focuses on physical expansion or increase in size.

increase to

Focuses on numerical or quantitative growth, indicating a rise to a higher level or extent.

develop into

Suggests a process of evolving and becoming something more comprehensive or advanced.

branch out to

Indicates diversifying or extending operations or interests into new areas.

incorporate into

Highlights the inclusion of elements or features into a larger entity.

scale up to

Specifically refers to increasing the size or capacity of something, often in a business context.

FAQs

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

Use "expand to" to describe the act of something growing or extending its reach to include a new area, market, or function. For instance, "The company aims to "expand to" new territories next year".

What are some alternatives to "expand to"?

Alternatives to "expand to" include phrases like "extend to", "grow into", or "increase to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "expand into" instead of "expand to"?

While both "expand to" and "expand into" are grammatically correct, they have slightly different meanings. "Expand to" indicates a broadening of scope or reach, whereas "expand into" suggests deeper penetration or integration within a new area. Choose the phrase that best reflects your intended meaning.

When should I use "expand toward" instead of "expand to"?

"Expand toward" suggests movement or progress in a particular direction but not necessarily reaching a specific target. Use "expand to" when the target or destination is clearly defined and the expansion is intended to reach it. For example, "The city is "expand to" the suburbs", whereas "the company is expanding toward a new market".