expansion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'expansion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of making something larger in size, scope, or extent. For example: "The company is looking to undergo an expansion of its operations into new markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"'Obamacare' is the greatest expansion of federal power in the history of the country".

The Guardian

Piano's entry into the UK media market continues its rapid international expansion since it began offering metered products in 2013.

The Guardian

Analysis Teachers are some of the harshest critics of the coalition after Michael Gove's tenure as education secretary, which entailed a radical shakeup of the curriculum, expansion of academies and introduction of free schools.

The Guardian

The combination of the massive expansion in CCTV use and the ever-easier upload of video footage to the internet is a dangerous one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pressley himself has a grievance with Neil Doncaster, the chief executive of the Scottish Premier League, and the clubs therein who categorically refuse to contemplate a meaningful expansion to the top division.

The Guardian - Sport

BP has tied its mast to expansion in Russia.

The Guardian - Business

Jeddah's King Abdul Aziz international airport is itself undergoing expansion to quadruple its capacity to 80 million passengers a year.

The Guardian - Arts

Analysts suspect that one of his chief goals is the expansion of Russian influence in other formerly Soviet republics under the guise of an economic union.

The Guardian

The Guardian is one of the first newspapers to create an app for Google TV and follows its recent digital expansion in the US with Guardiannews.com.

The Guardian

A Shell spokesman said: "Shell supports and endorses incentive programmes provided by state and local authorities that improve the business climate for capital investment, economic expansion and job growth.

The Guardian

The expansion of no-fishing zones across the Great Barrier Reef has allowed fish numbers to rebound in some places to levels not seen since European arrival in Australia, a long-term study of the ecosystem has shown.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expansion" to describe a process of growing or extending something, whether it's a business, an idea, or a physical object.

Common error

Avoid using "extension" when "expansion" is more appropriate. "Extension" usually refers to making something longer or more inclusive, while "expansion" implies a more general increase in size, scope, or influence.

Linguistic Context

The word "expansion" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act or process of increasing in size, volume, or scope. As seen in Ludwig, the usage of this term is confirmed by the AI with several example sentences in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "expansion" is a grammatically correct and versatile noun used to describe growth or enlargement across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and BBC, highlighting its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While alternatives like "growth" or "enlargement" exist, it's important to distinguish "expansion" from "extension". For example, a business undergoes "expansion" and a table has an "extension". With its neutral register and widespread usage, "expansion" remains a valuable term for effectively communicating the concept of increasing size, scope, or influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enlargement

Emphasizes making something bigger, often physically.

extension

Refers to making something longer or more extensive.

growth

Focuses on the natural process of increasing in size or number.

increase

Suggests a rise in quantity or degree.

widening

Focuses on making something broader or more inclusive.

development

Implies a process of improvement and advancement.

augmentation

Highlights the act of adding to something to improve it.

proliferation

Indicates a rapid increase in number or spread.

escalation

Implies a gradual increase in intensity or seriousness.

upsurge

Suggests a sudden and rapid increase.

FAQs

How can I use "expansion" in a sentence?

You can use "expansion" to refer to the act or process of something becoming larger or more extensive. For example, "The company is planning an "expansion" of its business into new markets."

What are some alternatives to the word "expansion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "growth", "enlargement", or "development" as substitutes for "expansion".

Is "expansion" a formal or informal word?

"Expansion" is generally considered a neutral word suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "expansion" and "extension"?

"Expansion" generally refers to increasing the size, scope, or scale of something, while "extension" often means making something longer or adding to its existing form. For example, a business undergoes "expansion" to new markets, whereas a table has an "extension" added to make it longer.