geographical extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "geographical extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the range or area covered by a particular geographical feature, phenomenon, or study. Example: "The geographical extent of the forest is crucial for understanding its biodiversity and ecological significance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We can reduce the geographical extent and the population adversely affected by future events.

The New York Times

But even with improved surveillance, the experts said it would be hard to determine the geographical extent of the avian epidemic.

The New York Times - Health

In September 2005 both the geographical extent and the mean thickness of Arctic Ocean ice reached record low levels.The warming seems to be accelerating.

The Economist

A political commentator in the daily newspaper Khartoum, Faisal Saleh, said the new protests were significant because of their geographical extent, the variety of protesters and the bloody response by the security forces.

The Guardian

Even the geographical extent of the initiative is unclear from the Budget document: science policy is a UK-wide competence and science is largely funded from a UK wide budget held in London, whilst Osborne and Science Minister Jo Johnson's interest in regional rebalancing reflects their England-only economic development responsibilities.

The Guardian

Small pockets of human-to-human transmission have already been seen, and health officials are worried that the widespread geographical extent of bird flu means that it is not a question of if a strain emerges that can be transmitted easily between humans, but when.Worried scientists have finally managed to catch the attention of politicians.

The Economist

Globally, floods affect the personal and economic fortunes of more than 60m people every year.Yet measuring the severity of floods in terms of economic losses rather than the geographical extent of the waters can give the impression that flooding has become much more severe in recent times.

The Economist

Too often, historians of the second world war have seen their subject as set apart from other wars by its sheer geographical extent, its special barbarisms, its claim to be the only war to earn the unenviable sobriquet of "total war".

The Economist

Sociological spatial scales therefore also refer to the geographical extent of influence (e.g. state boundaries, neighbourhood).

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

However, these figures are based on a pilot project of limited scope and geographical extent.

Health Economics Review

The thick dashed line demarcates the geographical extent of the KPR (Park et al., 2009).

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the size of an affected region, use "geographical extent" to clearly define the boundaries and overall area impacted. This is especially useful in scientific reports or news articles detailing environmental events or outbreaks.

Common error

Avoid using "geographical extent" when you actually mean the severity or impact of an event. "Extent" refers to the physical area, while "impact" describes the consequences or effects within that area. Make sure to use each term precisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "geographical extent" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes the spatial dimensions or area covered by a particular phenomenon or feature as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "geographical extent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes the area or spatial dimensions of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and suitable for formal, neutral, and professional contexts. Its primary function is to define the spatial scope of phenomena, studies, or events. While similar terms exist, such as "spatial range" or "geographic scope", "geographical extent" specifically refers to areas on Earth's surface. It is crucial to use this term accurately to avoid confusion with the severity or impact of events. The phrase is commonly encountered in scientific and news contexts, making it a valuable term for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spatial range

Focuses on the spatial aspect, emphasizing the distance or area covered.

geographic scope

Highlights the breadth and inclusiveness of the area under consideration.

area covered

Emphasizes the surface area included within specific boundaries.

territorial reach

Implies control or influence over a specific area.

regional spread

Suggests the distribution of something across a region.

areal dimensions

A more technical term referring to the measurements of an area.

distribution area

Emphasizes the pattern of dispersal within a geographical region.

surface area

Focuses on the measurement of the exterior surface.

geospatial distribution

Highlights the arrangement of features in geographical space.

field of influence

Indicates the area over which something has an effect or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "geographical extent" in a sentence?

You can use "geographical extent" to describe the area covered by a phenomenon. For example, "The study analyzed the "geographical extent" of the wildfire."

What phrases are similar to "geographical extent"?

Alternatives include "spatial range", "geographic scope", or "area covered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "geographical extent" and "spatial extent"?

While similar, "geographical extent" specifically refers to an area on Earth's surface, whereas "spatial extent" is broader and can refer to any space, including abstract or non-Earth locations.

When should I use "geographical extent" over "area"?

Use "geographical extent" when you want to emphasize the specific boundaries and dimensions of an area in a geographic context, especially in technical or scientific writing. "Area" is a more general term and might be less precise.