extend by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "to make something longer, wider, larger, etc." For example: "The town council voted to extend the park by three acres."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

My objective is to extend by one year until the 2014 World Cup.

Independent

The Senate is considering a bill that would extend, by a year, the current 26-week limit on benefits.

The New York Times

Such a finding would extend by up to 4,000 years the known time frame for war-like conflict.

Independent

Mr. Aizawa said he also wanted to extend by two years the life span of the temporary fund set up with government guarantees to buy shares from banks.

The New York Times

US Airways has agreed with its largest creditor to extend by one month the deadline for filing a draft bankruptcy reorganization plan, the airline said yesterday.

The New York Times

Nepal's Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to extend by three months a state of emergency that gives security forces sweeping powers to fight the insurgents.

The New York Times

With Austria stuttering and Hungary hardly world beaters despite their good opening performance, the open nature of this group could see the fairytale extend by another chapter.

The Guardian - Sport

The bill, which must be signed by Gov. David A. Paterson, would extend by 50 weeks a two-year suspension of New York's scalping restrictions.

The New York Times

The cable operator Adelphia Communications has asked the federal bankruptcy court handling its case to extend by six months its deadline to file a reorganization plan.

The New York Times

By contrast, Ford announced today that it would extend by a week a planned shutdown of its Ranger pickup truck factories in Edison, N.J., and St. Paul.

The New York Times

After a meeting with Elian's relatives here that lasted well into the night, the I.N.S. chose to extend by a day a 9 a.m.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extend by", ensure the unit of measurement is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity (e.g., "extend by 2 meters", "extend by six months").

Common error

Avoid using "extend by" without specifying the amount or degree of extension. For example, instead of saying "They decided to extend the deadline", specify "They decided to extend the deadline by one week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend by" functions as a verb + preposition combination. It indicates the act of making something longer, wider, or greater, usually by a specific amount or degree. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extend by" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate an increase or prolongation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and appropriate in various contexts. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business settings, offering a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communications. When using "extend by", ensure you clearly state the unit or amount of measurement to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "prolonged by", "increased by", and "expanded by", each offering nuanced variations in meaning. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively incorporate "extend by" into your writing to precisely convey the degree or amount of extension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthened by

Specifically refers to making something longer in physical dimension or time.

increased by

Highlights the augmentation of a quantity or degree, less specific about the manner of expansion.

expanded by

Suggests a widening or a more comprehensive growth, broader in implication than a simple lengthening.

prolonged by

Focuses on making something last longer; suggests continuation over time rather than spatial increase.

widened by

Indicates an increase in width, a specific type of spatial extension.

protracted by

Similar to prolonged but can imply an undesirable or unnecessary lengthening.

augmented by

Implies an addition that enhances or completes something, rather than just making it longer.

advanced by

Suggests progress or forward movement, which can include extending boundaries or capabilities.

enhanced by

Focuses on improving the quality or effectiveness through addition, not necessarily physical extension.

carried over by

This suggests something is transferred, which only refers to extension when it comes to abstract concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "extend by" in a sentence?

You can use "extend by" to indicate an increase in length, duration, or scope. For example, "The company decided to "extend by" two weeks the deadline for submitting proposals."

What are some alternatives to "extend by"?

Some alternatives to "extend by" include "increase by", "prolong by", or "expand by", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "extend by" instead of "extend to"?

While both "extend by" and "extend to" are correct, they have different meanings. "Extend by" indicates the amount of increase, while "extend to" indicates the new limit or endpoint. For instance, "extend by 5 meters" means to add 5 meters, while "extend to 10 meters" means the final length is 10 meters.

What's the difference between ""extend by"" and "increase by"?

While similar, ""extend by"" often implies a lengthening or continuation, while "increase by" is a more general term for augmentation. You might "extend by" adding something to it, and increase by adding to it, so they are usually interchangeable.