large expanses of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large expanses of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe vast areas or stretches of something, often in relation to land, space, or resources. Example: "The national park is known for its large expanses of untouched wilderness, attracting nature lovers from all over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

During stable flow conditions, Ph. autumnale mats proliferate, at times forming expansive black/brown leathery mats across large expanses of river bed (Heath et al. 2010).

AMB Express

Where they enter large expanses of sand, the wadis lose their identities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is bounded by steep cliffs with large expanses of tidal mud flats and mangroves.

The Guardian

Accompanying them will be policewomen or female pirates bearing large expanses of cleavage.

The New York Times

Though much here has been destroyed, much remains, with large expanses of vibrant green.

The New York Times

This can be found in large expanses of the tropical oceans.

The New York Times

Hengdian keeps large expanses of farmland fallow, ready to host any army.

The New Yorker

This wasn't rote work, since large expanses of the ocean floor were uncharted.

The New York Times - Books

The party has withered away and died in large expanses of the north.

The Guardian - Opinion

Across Africa and the developing world, a new global land rush is gobbling up large expanses of arable land.

The New York Times

The standing ovation nearly obscured the large expanses of empty purple seats in the student section and behind the benches.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "large expanses of", ensure it is followed by a noun that accurately describes what is being measured, such as "land", "water", or "forest".

Common error

Avoid using "large expanses of" with abstract nouns or uncountable nouns that don't typically denote physical space. For instance, avoid saying "large expanses of happiness"; instead, consider "great amounts of happiness" or "widespread happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large expanses of" typically functions as a pre-modifier followed by a noun, working together as a noun phrase. It serves to describe the significant extent or size of something, whether physical space or an abstract concept. Examples from Ludwig illustrate usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "large expanses of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe significant areas or quantities, fitting seamlessly into various contexts from news reports to scientific literature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and primarily serves a descriptive purpose. While highly adaptable, it's best paired with concrete nouns denoting physical space. For abstract concepts, consider alternative expressions like "great amounts of" or "significant degrees of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast expanses of

Emphasizes the immense size of the areas.

broad expanses of

Indicates a wide and open area.

wide expanses of

Emphasizes the breadth of the areas.

large expansions of

Focuses on the spreading or growing nature of the area.

large stretches of

Focuses on the elongated nature of the region.

considerable expanses of

Stresses the notable size of the area.

significant expanses of

Highlights the importance or impact of the area's size.

sizeable expanses of

Highlights the notability of the extent.

large surfaces of

Highlights the area's superficial dimension.

large tracts of

Implies areas divided for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "large expanses of" in a sentence?

Use "large expanses of" to describe a significant area or quantity of something. For example, "The desert features "large expanses of sand"" or "The farm contains "large expanses of crops"".

What can I say instead of "large expanses of"?

You can use alternatives like "vast stretches of", "wide areas of", or "extensive regions of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "large expanses of" and "vast expanses of"?

While both phrases are similar, "vast expanses of" typically implies an even greater size or scale compared to "large expanses of". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Can I use "large expanses of" to describe abstract concepts?

It is generally better to use "large expanses of" for physical areas or quantifiable nouns. For abstract concepts, consider phrases like "great amounts of" or "significant degrees of".