extend his lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend his lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports, competitions, or any situation where someone is gaining an advantage over others. Example: "In the final lap of the race, the runner managed to extend his lead, finishing well ahead of the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yesterday, after Woods birdied the first hole to extend his lead to five shots, Els rallied.

The New York Times - Sports

Though Montgomerie failed to extend his lead, he showed resiliency by keeping it.

The New York Times - Sports

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia, who won Friday's super-G, finished 11th to extend his lead in the overall standings.

The New York Times - Sports

— DUNCAN IRVING Another game, another easy hold as del Potro holds to 15 to extend his lead to 12-11.

The New York Times

When Tiger birdied No. 10 to extend his lead to four strokes, ABC followed Woods solo for 25 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Kenseth finished third to extend his lead in the championship race to 234 points over Jeff Gordon.

The New York Times - Sports

— BEN ROTHENBERG Murray had a double break point to level the third set, but Djokovic saved both to extend his lead in the frame to 4-2.

The New York Times

Marcel Siem of Germany shot a three-under 69 to extend his lead to four shots after the third round of the Hassan II Trophy in Agadir, Morocco.

The New York Times - Sports

LAMY-CHAPPUIS TRIUMPHS The defending World Cup champion Jason Lamy-Chappuis of France won his second straight Nordic combined event to extend his lead in the overall standings.

The New York Times - Sports

He broke Djokovic in the opening game of the match, then saved a break point on his serve to extend his lead to 2-0.

The New York Times

Nadal then followed with perhaps his best game of the match to extend his lead to 3-0, completely dictating rallies and swinging out on his forehand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extend his lead", consider the context. It is most effective in situations where someone is already ahead and is actively increasing their advantage. Avoid using it when someone is merely maintaining their existing lead.

Common error

Avoid using "extend his lead" when there's no actual increase in the lead. If the person is just maintaining their position without increasing the gap, phrases like "maintain his lead" or "hold his position" are more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend his lead" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, often used to describe an action in competitive contexts. Ludwig confirms its usability, with numerous examples showing how individuals or teams increase their advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extend his lead" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and sports contexts, to describe the act of increasing an advantage over competitors. Ludwig AI confirms its broad usability. When writing, ensure the phrase is used accurately to reflect an actual increase in the lead, rather than simply maintaining a position. Consider using alternatives such as "increase his advantage" or "widen his margin" for nuanced meanings. Remember that while it’s common in neutral registers, adapting your language to match the specific context is always beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase his lead

A more direct synonym, simply stating the increase in the lead.

increase his advantage

Focuses on improving an existing advantage rather than specifically widening a gap.

widen his margin

Emphasizes the size of the gap or difference between competitors.

further his lead

Suggests making even greater progress in increasing the lead.

expand his advantage

Highlights the growth or enlargement of the lead.

enlarge his lead

Similar to widen, focusing on making the lead bigger.

stretch his advantage

Suggests pulling the lead further apart from competitors.

build upon his lead

Suggests a gradual and deliberate strengthening of the current lead.

increase the gap

Focuses on the numerical distance between the leader and others.

consolidate his lead

Implies making the existing lead more secure and stable.

FAQs

What does "extend his lead" mean?

"Extend his lead" means to increase the distance or gap between someone who is in the first position and those following behind, typically in a competition or race.

What can I say instead of "extend his lead"?

You can use alternatives like "increase his advantage", "widen his margin", or "expand his advantage" depending on the context.

Is "extend his lead" grammatically correct?

Yes, "extend his lead" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English, particularly in sports and news reporting.

When is it appropriate to use "extend his lead"?

It's appropriate when someone who is already ahead is actively increasing their advantage over others. Avoid using it if the person is merely maintaining their existing position.