extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "extent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to the degree, amount, or limit of something. For example: We were unaware to what extent the damage had spread.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"While all great things mature with age, the energy may not be in the bottle to the extent that it is needed".

The Guardian

She also admitted the extent of her ruthlessness.

The Guardian

It seems a good bet that if you want to help the world's poor you should get them on more power now and to a very large extent that's going to be fossil fuels.

The Guardian

"We should not compromise our own interests to the extent of jeopardising the web of civilian and military exchanges that are at the heart of the relationship, or cut our aid program – intended to improve the lives of ordinary Indonesians.

The Guardian

A Human Rights Watch report published last September highlighted the extent of the regime's crackdowns on the political opposition, Muslims and street protesters.

The Guardian

In an unusually frank speech to an audience of leading rail industry figures, Carne said: "While our passenger safety performance is the best in Europe, about 600 railway workers a year – employees and contractors – are injured to the extent that they cannot return to work the next day.

The Guardian - Business

"Physical activity should be targeted to the same extent as smoking with respect to public health prevention efforts in the elderly," they said.

The Guardian

King was appearing before a Senate committee inquiry into domestic violence in Darwin on Tuesday, which heard from numerous Northern Territory organisations about the extent of the issue in Indigenous communities.

The Guardian

Related: Adelson denies ties to Chinese official in scandal: 'There's a lot of Ngs in Macau' But the extent of what is at stake for Adelson was evident in the form of the Nevada gaming board official monitoring the case from the public gallery.

The Guardian

The breadth of the violence, along with the extent of official involvement, ​was​ significantly underestimated The killing did not end but was scaled back and conducted more covertly.

The Guardian

More likely, it reveals a depth of frustration about what was being achieved, and the extent to which her own reputation, not to mention her view of herself, risked being degraded by remaining inside the tent to negligible effect.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extent" to specify the degree, amount, or scope of something, ensuring clarity in your writing. For instance, "To what extent will this affect our project?" provides a clear direction for analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "extent" when a simpler term like "amount" or "number" suffices. "The extent of people" is less direct than "the number of people."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "extent" is as a noun, referring to the degree, scope, or range of something. Ludwig shows its function in measuring or quantifying various aspects, such as "the extent of the issue" or "to what extent policy contests have leaked out".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extent" functions as a noun to denote the degree, scope, or range of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While generally suitable for neutral to formal communication, using alternatives like "degree" or "scope" can sometimes provide greater clarity. Remember to reserve "extent" for situations where a precise measurement or specification is required, as overuse can lead to cumbersome phrasing. The numerous examples available through Ludwig illustrate its versatility and proper application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree

Focuses on the level or intensity of something.

scope

Emphasizes the breadth or comprehensiveness.

range

Highlights the variation or limits.

magnitude

Indicates the size or importance.

level

Refers to a specific point on a scale.

scale

Emphasizes the proportion or ratio.

amount

Quantifies the quantity or measure.

size

Refers to the physical dimensions or scope.

compass

Highlights the scope or boundary.

reach

Emphasizes the distance or influence something covers.

FAQs

How can I use "extent" in a sentence?

You can use "extent" to describe the degree, scope, or range of something. For example, "The study examined the extent of pollution in the river."

What's a good alternative to using "extent"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "degree", "scope", or "magnitude".

Is it correct to say 'to a large extent'?

Yes, "to a large extent" is a common and correct idiom. It means 'mostly' or 'significantly'.

What is the difference between "extent" and "extension"?

"Extent" refers to the range, scope, or degree of something, while "extension" refers to the act of lengthening or stretching something out.