extend the lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend the lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports, business, or competition when referring to increasing an advantage over others. Example: "The team managed to extend the lead in the second half, securing their victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cincinnati's Dan Herron recovered the ball on Philadelphia's 13-yard line, leading to an easy field goal by Josh Brown to extend the lead to 10-0.

Huffington Post

He also scored his third touchdown to extend the lead.

The New York Times

The Mets led, 1-0, and Leiter would help them extend the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the MetroStars wasted two great opportunities to extend the lead in the first half.

The New York Times - Sports

Gomez's two-out single to center field scored Springer to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Guardian - Sport

Halfpenny then missed a chance to extend the lead from inside his own half.

The Guardian - Sport

Tiffany Hayes hit two 3-pointers to extend the lead to 44-30.

The New York Times - Sports

Demchenko did well but Loch is going to extend the lead to 0.470.

The Guardian - Sport

The Islanders blew a chance to extend the lead 50 seconds later.

The New York Times - Sports

The Lions went to the air in the third quarter to extend the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Giambi homered with two on to extend the lead to 6-2.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extend the lead" in sports writing, consider specifying by how much the lead was extended for clarity and impact. For instance, "The team extended their lead by ten points in the final quarter."

Common error

Ensure that when you use "extend the lead", it's clear what is being measured. Saying "They extended the lead" without specifying in what context (points, market share, etc.) can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend the lead" typically functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of increasing an existing advantage in a competitive context. As Ludwig confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extend the lead" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of increasing an existing advantage, primarily in competitive scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. As demonstrated by examples, it is most commonly found in news and media, particularly in sports reporting. While alternatives like ""increase the advantage"" and ""widen the gap"" exist, "extend the lead" maintains a unique emphasis on prolonging and enhancing an existing advantageous position. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specifying the context of the lead being extended ensures effective communication. Overall, "extend the lead" is a reliable and effective phrase for conveying an increase in advantage across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the advantage

Focuses on improving one's position over competitors by augmenting existing benefits.

widen the gap

Emphasizes the act of creating a larger distance between oneself and others.

increase the margin

Highlights the quantitative aspect of improving the difference between scores or values.

expand the advantage

Stresses the growth and enlargement of a beneficial position.

stretch the lead

Suggests prolonging or making the advantage more pronounced.

lengthen the lead

Implies making the duration or distance of the advantage longer.

broaden the gap

Indicates making the difference more extensive or comprehensive.

enlarge the margin

Focuses on making the numerical difference greater in size.

build upon the advantage

Highlights the act of using an existing advantage as a foundation for further gains.

capitalize on the lead

Emphasizes the act of using an existing lead to gain further benefits or successes.

FAQs

What does "extend the lead" mean?

The phrase "extend the lead" means to increase an advantage or margin over competitors or opponents in a competition, game, or other scenario. It implies making an existing advantage even greater.

How can I use "extend the lead" in a sentence?

You can use "extend the lead" in sentences like: "The company's new marketing strategy helped them "increase the advantage" over their rivals", or "The athlete's impressive performance allowed her to "widen the gap" in the final lap".

What are some alternatives to "extend the lead"?

Some alternatives to "extend the lead" include phrases such as ""increase the advantage"", ""widen the gap"", or "expand the advantage", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "extend the lead" or "increase the lead"?

Both "extend the lead" and "increase the lead" are correct and commonly used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. They are largely interchangeable.