expend substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expend substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the significant use or allocation of resources, such as time, money, or effort. Example: "To achieve our goals, we will need to expend substantially on marketing and outreach efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was substantially greater than US$31.5 billion expended on domestic pharmaceutical research [20].

Plosone

The Stanford and Harvard-led group decided to try a computational predictive approach to substantially narrow the field of candidates before expending the time and energy to make any of them.

Stanford University

You expend some energy".

The New York Times - Sports

Not substantially.

The Guardian

Thus, prior to the commencement of the instant suit, the Secretary had leased substantially the entire area in controversy; 11 the Solicitor General further assures us that the lessees and their assignees had, in turn, expended tens of millions of dollars in the development of the leases.

Cornell University

This decreases costs substantially.

The Economist

Why expend all the time and effort?

The New York Times - Tech

This was substantially true.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Companies expend untold energy building culture.

Harvard Business Review

A brisk walk will expend about 120.

The Washington Post

Opinions varied substantially.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "expend substantially", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being expended (e.g., resources, time, effort) and on what it is being expended. This helps to avoid ambiguity and ensures clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using "expend substantially" in very informal or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "spend a lot" or "use considerably" might be more appropriate for everyday conversations or less formal content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expend substantially" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating the manner and degree to which something is expended. It modifies a verb, emphasizing a significant use or outlay of resources. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expend substantially" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a significant outlay of resources. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in formal, scientific, and professional contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to emphasize the degree to which something is being expended. While simpler alternatives exist for informal settings, "expend substantially" maintains a formal tone, making it suitable for academic papers, business reports, and news articles where precision and authority are valued. Its usage across various authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend considerably

Replaces "expend" with "spend" and "substantially" with "considerably", offering a slightly different nuance in the degree of expenditure.

allocate significantly

Substitutes "expend" with "allocate" and "substantially" with "significantly", focusing on the allocation rather than the spending of resources.

devote significant resources

Similar to dedicating, but emphasizes the importance and value of the resources being used.

invest heavily

Replaces the original phrase with a focus on investment, implying a strategic allocation of resources for future benefit.

dedicate a large amount

Focuses on dedicating a significant quantity of resources, which can be time, money, or effort.

pour substantial effort

Emphasizes the significant amount of effort being invested in a particular task or goal.

utilize extensively

Shifts the focus to the thorough and widespread use of resources.

employ generously

Highlights the abundant and liberal use of resources.

consume a lot

Simple and direct, this phrase emphasizes the large quantity of resources being consumed.

sink a considerable sum

Specifically refers to monetary expenditure, implying a substantial amount of money being used.

FAQs

How can I use "expend substantially" in a sentence?

You can use "expend substantially" to describe the significant use of resources, such as "The company will expend substantially on marketing this quarter" or "We need to expend substantially more effort to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "expend substantially"?

Alternatives include "spend considerably", "allocate significantly", or "invest heavily". The best choice depends on the specific context and the type of resource being discussed.

Is "expend substantially" a formal expression?

Yes, "expend substantially" is generally considered a formal expression. It's more appropriate for professional, academic, or business contexts than for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "expend substantially" and "spend a lot"?

"Expend substantially" is more formal and precise than "spend a lot". While both indicate a significant outlay, "expend substantially" is better suited for formal writing and contexts requiring a more professional tone.