extensive area

USAGE SUMMARY

"extensive area" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large area or a wide region, such as a countryside, wilderness, or even a large city. For example, "The hikers trekked through an extensive area of untouched wilderness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Termed hilly and lineated terrain, it is an extensive area of elevations and depressions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shrewsbury became a market for an extensive area, including much of northern Wales.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The town was once a major trade centre and dominated an extensive area of irrigated agriculture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The basins became a foul-smelling nuisance, and the Massachusetts legislature in 1857 authorized the filling of that extensive area.

Britannica

Boston's church is a landmark for the surrounding extensive area of flat reclaimed peat and silt marshland constituting the Fens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Flexurally vibrating stepped plates of extensive area have been shown to be very effective directional ultrasonic radiators [1].

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Because forest plantations cover an extensive area worldwide, they play an important role shaping current biodiversity conservation policies.

Forest Ecology and Management

However, during the middle Miocene, the platform carbonate factories flourished across an extensive area with 55,900 km2.

Marine Geology

This formation covers an extensive area from the foredeep to the Purus Arch located ∼2000km away from the trench.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Because of its geographic isolation, inaccessibility, extensive area, large population, and virtual economic self-sufficiency, Sichuan has served periodically as a bastion in its own right.

Britannica

Extending southeast from the coastal dunes, Texel has an extensive area of polder (land previously under water) reclaimed from the Wadden Sea.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geographical features, use "extensive area" to convey the sheer scale and reach of the land. For example, "The Amazon rainforest covers an extensive area of South America."

Common error

Avoid pairing "extensive area" with adjectives that already imply largeness, such as "very" or "extremely". Instead of saying "a very extensive area", simply use "an extensive area" to maintain conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive area" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

22%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extensive area" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, effectively conveying the concept of a large physical space. As Ludwig AI has indicated, this phrase can be employed in several contexts. Its usage spans across various domains, including science, encyclopedias, and news media. While generally neutral in register, the prevalence in scientific and formal contexts suggests awareness of formality when writing. When using the phrase "extensive area", be aware of the common pitfall of adding redundant adjectives and be aware of some similar alternatives like "vast expanse" or "large territory".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast expanse

Focuses on the visual breadth and openness of the space.

wide region

Highlights the geographical dimension of the space.

large territory

Emphasizes the political or administrative control over the space.

broad locale

Implies a more general or loosely defined space.

sizeable district

Suggests an area defined by administrative or geographical boundaries.

considerable zone

Highlights a specific area designated for a particular purpose.

sprawling landscape

Emphasizes the natural, often rural, character of the area.

immense domain

Conveys a sense of vastness and authority over the area.

extensive tract

Focuses on a continuous piece of land, often undeveloped.

sweeping scope

Indicates a range that is comprehensive and widespread, less focused on physical space.

FAQs

How can I use "extensive area" in a sentence?

Use "extensive area" to describe a large region or space. For example, "The wildfire consumed an "extensive area" of forest."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "extensive area"?

Alternatives include "vast expanse", "wide region", or "large territory", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "extensive area" in formal writing?

Yes, "extensive area" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a large space or region, as confirmed by its usage in encyclopedias and academic texts.

How does "extensive area" differ from "intensive area"?

"Extensive area" refers to a large physical space, while "intensive area" describes a region where a high concentration of activity or resources is located. They are opposites: one is about large scale while the other is about large density.