extend the number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'extend the number' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to increasing an amount or quantity. For example, "The company has decided to extend the number of paid vacation days from 10 to 14."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So the second thing we will do is extend the number of non-suspensive appeals.

The Guardian

But the new proposals extend the number of agencies that can access this communications data.

The Guardian - Tech

Restaurant Associates plans to extend the number of kitchens using the meters to 30 by the end of June.

The Guardian

The government's sports strategy seeks to extend the number of people living physically active lives and could be truly transformative.

The Guardian

Among its most contentious points was a plan to extend the number of Sundays on which shops are allowed to open from five to 12 per year.

The Guardian

Because he was outside British jurisdiction at night, this allowed him to extend the number of days he could stay in the UK without paying tax.

The Guardian

MPs will vote on the third reading of the bill, which would extend the number of court hearings that can be held behind closed doors, this week.

The Guardian

Sarah Teather, the children's minister, will announce today that the government is to extend the number of children to get the £488 pupil premium.

The Guardian

Countries with greater wealth tend both to expand education to a greater number of students and to extend the number of years of compulsory schooling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We're going to extend the number of projects you do.'" The signing, which took place with great fanfare, was the culmination of a couple of years of Coke and USDA partnerships on various sustainability projects.

The Guardian

After the success of his high Cs at the Met and the engagement of Breslin, he started to extend the number and scale of recitals, starting with one in Liberty, Missouri, in February 1973.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extend the number" when you want to express a deliberate action to increase a quantifiable metric. For example, "We aim to extend the number of subscribers by 20% next quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "extend the number" with nouns that are not quantifiable. Instead of saying "extend the number of happiness", use a more appropriate phrase such as "increase the level of happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend the number" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action aimed at increasing a quantifiable amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extend the number" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express the act of increasing a quantifiable amount. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's suitable for various contexts, with high frequency in science and news media. When writing, it's important to ensure the noun being modified is indeed quantifiable to avoid misuse. Remember, while alternatives like "increase the quantity" exist, "extend the number" often carries a nuance of broadening scope or reach. With over 60 real-world examples available on Ludwig, understanding its practical application is straightforward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the quantity

Focuses specifically on making the numerical amount greater.

expand the amount

Implies a broadening or widening of the quantity.

augment the count

Uses a more formal term for increasing the tally or total.

enlarge the scope

Shifts the focus to the breadth or range being increased.

prolong the duration

Specifically refers to making a period of time longer.

broaden the range

Highlights the expansion of variety or extent.

magnify the volume

Suggests making something greater in size or intensity.

amplify the intensity

Emphasizes increasing the strength or degree.

heighten the degree

Indicates raising the level or measure of something.

stretch the limit

Suggests expanding a boundary or maximum.

FAQs

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

You can use "extend the number" when you want to talk about increasing a specific quantity. For example, "The company plans to "increase the number" of its branches next year".

What are some alternatives to "extend the number"?

Alternatives include phrases like "increase the quantity", "expand the amount", or "augment the count", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "extend the number" and "increase the number"?

While similar, "extend the number" often implies broadening the scope or reach, whereas ""increase the number"" is a more direct reference to numerical growth.

When is it inappropriate to use "extend the number"?

It is generally inappropriate to use "extend the number" when referring to abstract or non-quantifiable concepts. Use more suitable phrases like "increase the level" or "expand the scope" in such cases.