expands up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expands up" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in certain contexts.
It can be used when describing something that increases in size or scope in an upward direction, but it is often better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The company expands up into new markets every year, seeking greater opportunities for growth."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

The nail expands up to 70 bars, until it locks into the bone providing torsional stability and proper fragment alignment.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The area of the acoustic resonance expands up to x = 800 km while it is about x = 300 km for the narrow source width.

Earth, Planets and Space

The high-frequency shoulder (HFS) of the LO peak, which expands up to 70 to 80 cm-1 above the LO frequency (Figure 5), has been reported by us recently for NCs of different chemical compositions (CdTe vs CdSe), as well as synthesis conditions (temperature, precursors, solvents etc).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Plutonium expands up to 70% in volume as it oxidizes and thus may break its container.

Wikipedia

The passage is about 5 km wide initially, and it later expands up to 6 km wide.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Travel

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

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expands up", consider if a simpler term like "expands" or "grows" would be more appropriate and less awkward. For example, "The company expands into new markets" sounds more natural than "The company expands up into new markets."

Common error

Avoid using "expands up" when the upward direction is already implied or irrelevant. Over specifying direction can make your writing sound redundant or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expands up" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of increasing in size or scope with an implied upward direction. Ludwig shows usage in contexts where spatial growth or abstract expansion are discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expands up" describes growth or enlargement with an upward trajectory. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it can sometimes sound awkward, and simpler alternatives like "expands" or "grows upward" may be preferable. Usage is most common in scientific and news contexts. When writing, consider whether the upward direction is essential to the meaning; if not, a more concise term will enhance clarity. Overusing directionality can make your writing appear unnatural. Always aim for precision and conciseness in word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grows upward

Emphasizes vertical growth or expansion.

increases vertically

Focuses on the vertical dimension of the increase.

extends upward

Highlights the act of reaching further in an upward direction.

rises and broadens

Combines upward movement with a widening effect.

ascends and enlarges

Emphasizes both the ascent and the increase in size.

climbs and widens

Suggests a gradual upward progression coupled with broadening.

spreads upwards

Focuses on the directional spread in an upward motion.

escalates and expands

Highlights a rapid increase and general expansion.

develops upwards

Implies a gradual and progressive upward development.

inflates upwards

Suggests an increase in size similar to inflating a balloon, with a focus on verticality.

FAQs

What does "expands up" mean?

"Expands up" generally means to increase in size or scope, specifically in an upward direction. However, the phrase can sometimes sound awkward, and simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What can I say instead of "expands up"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "grows upward", "extends upward", or simply "expands".

Is "expands up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "expands up" is grammatically correct, but it's not always the most elegant or common choice. Consider the context and whether a simpler or more direct alternative would be better.

When is it appropriate to use "expands up"?

It's most appropriate when you want to specifically emphasize the upward direction of the expansion. However, even in those cases, consider if a phrase like "grows vertically" might be clearer or more natural.