expanding up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expanding up" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe something that is increasing or growing in a vertical direction or in terms of scope, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "The company is expanding up into new markets, reaching customers in previously untapped regions."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Rents are rising, retail options are evolving, and the neighborhood is expanding up, down and around Divisadero Street.

The New York Times

Great puffy clouds were slowly expanding up and up, over my head, maybe two feet into the air.

The New York Times - Travel

Mining for silver continued at the Tinto River, expanding up the Guadalquivir valley to the area around Cástulo and to the coast around Cartagena.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Huge mounds have collected on the chalet roofs, expanding up and over the eaves like soufflés that have risen out of control.

The Guardian - Travel

They're rapidly expanding, up by nearly half in the past year to 14% of Sallie's assets.

Forbes

(35), (34), and (30) in Eq. (29) and expanding up to second-order in, we obtain for the cross-correlation function for two spike trains (37).

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Giant Robot has since expanded up and down the street like a real estate Godzilla.

The New York Times - Travel

This rack expands up to 18 inches, then folds neatly away.

The New York Times

Families built small shacks using found materials and the neighbourhood expanded up into the hills.

The Guardian

The ZX2 comes with 128GB of memory, which can be expanded up to 256GB with a memory card.

Independent

It takes memory cards, rather than having a built-in hard drive, but they can be expanded up to 129GB.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger, more common synonyms like "growing" or "expanding" for clarity and impact. "Expanding up" is not inherently wrong but can sometimes sound less natural than other alternatives.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "expanding up" in formal or academic writing. While not grammatically incorrect, it can lack the precision and sophistication expected in such contexts. Opt for more specific and widely accepted terms that accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expanding up" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the process of something increasing in size, scope, or intensity. Ludwig indicates that while understandable, the phrase can sound awkward. Examples show it used to describe physical growth, business expansion, and even mathematical expressions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expanding up" is used to describe something increasing in size or scope, often with an implied vertical direction. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests that it can sometimes sound awkward and less natural than alternatives like "growing" or "increasing". Its usage is relatively uncommon, appearing in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, consider whether a more common synonym might provide greater clarity and impact. As Ludwig AI points out, while understandable, the phrase might benefit from being replaced by more standard expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing upwards

Focuses specifically on vertical growth.

scaling up

Implies increasing in size or capacity, often in a business context.

increasing

A general term for becoming larger or more numerous.

growing

A broader term for development or enlargement.

enlarging

Focuses on making something bigger.

extending

Implies increasing the reach or scope.

developing

Suggests gradual growth and advancement.

broadening

Implies an increase in scope or range.

augmenting

Suggests adding to something to increase its size or value.

inflating

Implies an increase in size, often artificially or temporarily.

FAQs

How can I use "expanding up" in a sentence?

You can use "expanding up" to describe something growing or increasing vertically or in scope. For example, "The business is "expanding up" to new markets."

What are some alternatives to "expanding up"?

Some alternatives to "expanding up" include "growing upwards", "scaling up", or simply "expanding", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "expanding up"?

While grammatically acceptable, "expanding up" is not the most common or elegant phrase. It's often better to use a more direct alternative like "growing" or "increasing" for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "expanding up" and "expanding"?

"Expanding" generally refers to an increase in size, scope, or range. "Expanding up" implies a vertical direction or a specific upward growth trajectory. In many cases, ""expanding"" is sufficient and more concise.