expands over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expands over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or phenomenon that increases or develops gradually as time passes. Example: "The company's influence in the market expands over time, leading to greater opportunities for growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

What if a round peg develops sharp corners, or a round hole expands over time?

Harvard Business Review

A dialogue between the new mobile programs and the existing regional urban fabric emerges and expands over time.

Columbia University

A smaller, more measured program that is more responsive to Afghan needs and that gradually expands over time as capacity builds up would be a much better way to help Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Since CdSe and Cu2Se are immiscible and the wires have a thickness of few tens of nm, a Cu2Se wire section is quickly formed and expands over time, with CdSe regions being transformed to Cu2Se (see Fig. 1c).

Nature

It's probably still going to be quite niche, but HP is clearly hoping that niche expands over time as VR becomes more prevalent across industries.

TechCrunch

Moreover the Bry and Boschan (1971) method is robust: it does not require detrending the data, the dates will not change as a sample expands over time, and it is easy to communicate.

SERIEs

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

However, the research sites in which DRC studies are conducted have expanded over time.

Yale University

Scenario 1 (do nothing) suggests that the contamination plume would continually expand over time.

Applied Water Science

It will likely expand over time as more partners come on board.

TechCrunch

But Tobin suspects this definition could expand over time as more studies and clinical trials accumulate.

Vice

"The services and options will likely expand over time as experience with these services and the positive results become evident," Republic Live said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expands over time" to describe gradual increases in scope, size, or influence when precision and clarity are needed. It's particularly suitable for describing trends, developments, and processes in academic, scientific, or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "expands over time" to describe rapid or sudden increases. This phrase specifically denotes a gradual process, so choose alternatives like "explodes", "surges", or "spikes" for quicker growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expands over time" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a process of gradual increase or enlargement. It typically modifies a noun, describing how something changes in scale or scope.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expands over time" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe the gradual increase or development of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It finds frequent usage in science, news & media, and academic domains, highlighting its suitability for formal and neutral contexts. Alternatives like "grows progressively" or "increases gradually" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuine cases of gradual expansion, avoiding its use for sudden or rapid growth. When writing, consider the audience and choose the most appropriate alternative if a more informal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grows progressively

Emphasizes a steady and continuous increase.

increases gradually

Highlights the slow and incremental nature of the expansion.

develops incrementally

Focuses on the step-by-step advancement of something.

evolves steadily

Suggests a transformation and growth over a period.

progresses with time

Implies forward movement and improvement as time elapses.

accumulates over years

Highlights the gradual gathering or amassing of something over an extended period.

builds up slowly

Emphasizes the gradual construction or accumulation of something.

extends in due course

Suggests that something will expand at an appropriate future time.

broadens with maturity

Conveys a sense of gaining scope as something matures.

enlarges in the long run

Indicates that growth will occur eventually, over an extended duration.

FAQs

How can I use "expands over time" in a sentence?

You can use "expands over time" to describe anything that gradually increases in size, scope, or influence, such as "The company's market share "expands over time"" or "The universe "expands over time"".

What are some alternatives to "expands over time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "grows progressively", "increases gradually", or "develops incrementally".

Is "expands over time" formal or informal?

"Expands over time" is generally considered suitable for formal and neutral contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferable for informal settings, but this phrase is appropriate for academic, scientific, and professional communication.

What is the difference between "expands over time" and "grows rapidly"?

"Expands over time" emphasizes a gradual increase, while "grows rapidly" suggests a quick and substantial increase. The choice depends on accurately portraying the speed and manner of the expansion or growth.