extending upward

USAGE SUMMARY

"extending upward" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is reaching or growing in a vertical direction. An example could be: "The branches of the tree are extending upward toward the sky." Alternative expressions include "rising upward," "growing upward," and "reaching upward."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Ms. Pontes has an extraordinary voice: tangy and sympathetic, delicate and searing, extending upward to an airborne soprano.

The New York Times - Arts

Those spindles extending downward form the legs and those extending upward form the back and arm rests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When it struck the ground, the fuselage still had scraps of composite material attached, with some pieces ending in fibers extending upward like brush bristles.

The New York Times - Science

IT was sitting there naked on the floor like a pitiable patient, three eyes extending upward as if pleading for attention.

The New York Times - Tech

Perhaps you've seen such a system, bottles in a refrigerated glass cabinet, taps on the outside, a Medusa's tangle of hoses extending upward in an effort to rebuff the oxygen with inert gases like argon.

The New York Times - Food

These transfer paths penetrate the entire hydrosphere, extending upward to about 15 kilometres (9 miles) in Earth's atmosphere and downward to depths on the order of five kilometres in its crust.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The glass portion would extend upward over the top 42 stories.

The New York Times

His legs are lashed to planks that extend upward to form an X.

The New Yorker

Many weak tornadoes appear not to extend upward far beyond the base of the parent storm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yesterday's outrage becomes yesterday's bargain, as the price spiral extends, upward and outward, with no end in sight.

The New Yorker

During the off-season, most of the upper tier was removed so that the bowl below could be extended upward.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extending upward" to describe physical objects, abstract concepts, or statistical trends that increase in a vertical direction.

Common error

Avoid using phrases that are already implied by "upward". For example, avoid phrases like "extending vertically upward" because "upward" already implies verticality.

Linguistic Context

Extending upward functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the direction of movement or growth. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to describe both physical objects and abstract concepts that are increasing in a vertical direction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extending upward" is a verb phrase that describes movement, growth, or projection in a vertical direction. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly found in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedia contexts. While "extending upward" is versatile, be mindful of redundancy. For similar expressions, consider "rising vertically" or "reaching skyward" for alternatives that add nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rising vertically

Focuses on the vertical direction of the movement or expansion.

reaching skyward

Implies a strong upward direction, specifically toward the sky.

growing taller

Suggests an increase in height over time.

ascending upwards

Highlights the action of going up. Contains a redundant term.

projecting upward

Emphasizes the act of something being thrown or directed upwards.

elevating skyward

Implies lifting or raising something specifically to the sky.

stretching upwards

Focuses on the action of elongating in an upward direction.

climbing vertically

Highlights the action of moving upward through effort or stages.

surging upward

Implies a sudden and powerful upward movement.

spiraling upward

Describes movement in a circular, upward path.

FAQs

How can I use "extending upward" in a sentence?

You can use "extending upward" to describe something reaching or growing in a vertical direction, such as "The branches of the tree are extending upward toward the sky."

What are some alternatives to "extending upward"?

You can use alternatives like "rising vertically", "reaching skyward", or "growing taller" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "extending upwards"?

While grammatically acceptable, "extending upward" is generally preferred over "extending upwards" in contemporary English usage. The shorter form is more concise and common.

What's the difference between "extending upward" and "reaching skyward"?

"Extending upward" is a general term for moving in a vertical direction, while "reaching skyward" specifically implies movement towards the sky. Therefore, "reaching skyward" is more directional.