extending outward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extending outward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is reaching or spreading away from a central point or source. Example: "The branches of the tree were extending outward, creating a beautiful canopy of leaves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some are much larger, extending outward in concentric circles from us as individuals.

University of California, Berkeley

But, once you decide to enter the Stern universe, it is difficult not to feel your sympathies extending outward.

The New Yorker

The trunks of several species are surrounded by huge buttresses extending outward and upward for about 5 metres (15 feet).

Britannica

Piedmonts are graded slopes of alluvial materials extending outward from the base of mountains, mesas, or hills.

Ecology of Desert Systems

The algorithm is based on the analysis of local transects extending outward from a potential tree apex.

Remote Sensing of Environment

The light of Joe Janovsky's life touched and inspired countless people, in circles extending outward from his beloved family to generations of schoolchildren and kids at summer camps.

The New York Times

Extending outward from a nest-shaped central node, branches wrapped in wire dissipate into tendrils that ultimately fragment, like offshoots of kudzu out to colonize the landscape.

The New York Times

Nearby, in "Coyote Inalienable," from 2013, a soldier becomes a kind of Christ, hanging high on a wall, its arms extending outward, as if in a blessing.

The New Yorker

Taking over at center stage was a mass of feathers, extending outward in front and back, with only part of the wearer's face visible.

The New York Times

Extending outward from this central region are transitional plains, thinly forested and rising to elevations of about 650 feet (200 metres) above sea level.

Britannica

Military pontoon bridges are usually built either by successively extending outward from the shore or by constructing whole sections as rafts and floating them into position.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extending outward" to vividly describe physical expansions, emotional outreach, or abstract concepts reaching beyond a defined boundary.

Common error

Avoid using "extending outward" when the context already implies outward direction. For instance, "the branch extended outward" is preferable to "the branch extended outward and away".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extending outward" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often acting as a participial modifier to describe the direction or manner in which something is expanding or reaching. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extending outward" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that effectively describes something reaching or spreading from a central point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Scientific, and Encyclopedia sources, with slightly less prevalence in academic and informal writing. To avoid redundancy, ensure the context doesn't already imply outward movement. Alternatives like "spreading outwards" or "reaching outwards" can be used for variety. The high source quality and consistent usage support its credibility and appropriateness in a variety of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

projecting outwards

Emphasizes the act of something being thrown or cast outwards.

reaching outwards

Highlights the action of something stretching or extending its reach.

spreading outwards

Focuses on the expansion or distribution of something from a central point.

radiating outwards

Implies that something is emanating or diverging from a central point like rays.

expanding outwards

Highlights the increase in size or scope from a central location.

protruding outwards

Suggests something is sticking out or projecting beyond a surface.

stretching outwards

Emphasizes the act of something lengthening or elongating in an outward direction.

moving outwards

Describes a general movement away from a central point.

diverging outwards

Implies that something is separating or branching out from a central point.

emanating outwards

Describes the release or discharge of something from a central source.

FAQs

How is "extending outward" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "extending outward" usually describes something that is reaching, spreading, or moving away from a central point. It can apply to physical objects like branches, or abstract concepts like influence.

What are some alternatives to "extending outward"?

You can use alternatives like "spreading outwards", "reaching outwards", or "projecting outwards" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "extending outward away from"?

Yes, adding "away from" is typically redundant since "outward" already implies movement away from a central point. It's more concise to simply say "extending outward".

Can "extending outward" be used to describe non-physical things?

Yes, "extending outward" can describe abstract concepts. For example, you might say someone's influence is "extending outward" into the community.