spans out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spans out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that extends or spreads over a certain area or time period. Example: "The project spans out over several months, requiring careful planning and coordination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You see this immense structure that just spans out before the eye and it keeps on going until it fades into darkness.

The New York Times

"We've got a big game next week against Warrington and we'll see how the league spans out in the next few weeks".

BBC

The MFP spans out from the inner membrane into the periplasm and contacts both the inner membrane ABC exporter and the OMP.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Spanning out in all directions are countless cities, villages, rivers and vast expanses of desert.

The New York Times

The turbines, state of the art models 400 feet to the tip of their blades, span out for 150 miles in any direction.

The Guardian

It is seen as a productive way to transport not only top executives, but also the middle-management teams that are increasingly spanning out on ever-wider business trips.

The New York Times

Basically, the business trip remains a lonely, away-from-kith-and-kin slog -- even more so, in fact, as corporate travelers span out across the world on tight, multidestination itineraries that increasingly allow almost no time off.

The New York Times

Prenetics started out as 'Multigene' in 2009 when it span out from Hong Kong's City University.

TechCrunch

The second approach is a bottom-up approach in which one would start at the subject's end and span out backward until the issuer is reached.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Only time will tell which ones of those applications will span out and successfully deploy DVC-based solutions in the market place.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The holes span out in two loops of nine from the clubhouse, unlike a more typical "out-and-back" links that only returns at the 18th.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spans out" to describe the physical or conceptual extent of something from a central point. For example, "The organization's influence spans out across several countries."

Common error

Avoid using "spans out" when describing something contracting or receding. The phrase implies expansion or extension, not reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spans out" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of extending or spreading outward from a central point. It is often used to describe physical extensions, such as a structure spanning a distance, or conceptual expansions, like influence spreading across regions, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33.3%

Science

66.7%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "spans out" effectively describes the action of something extending or spreading outward from a central point. As validated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees usage in diverse contexts, including science and news media. While not extremely common, "spans out" provides a clear and vivid way to portray expansion, offering alternatives like "extends outward" or "spreads out". The key is to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of outward extension, avoiding situations where contraction is implied. Though infrequently used, "spans out" serves as a valuable tool for precise and evocative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extends outward

Focuses more on the directional movement of extending.

reaches outward

Emphasizes the act of reaching from a central point.

spreads out

Highlights the dispersion or widening of something.

stretches out

Implies a lengthening or elongation in a particular direction.

expands outward

Suggests an increase in size or scope as it extends.

radiates outward

Implies movement from a central point in multiple directions.

projects outward

Emphasizes the act of throwing or casting something forward.

unfolds outward

Suggests a gradual revealing or development as it extends.

fans out

Implies a widening shape resembling a fan.

diverges outward

Highlights the separation or branching as it extends.

FAQs

How can I use "spans out" in a sentence?

"Spans out" is a phrasal verb used to describe something that extends or spreads from a central point. For example, "The company's network "spans out" across the entire region."

What is a good alternative to "spans out"?

Alternatives to "spans out" include "extends outward", "spreads out", or "reaches outward", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "span out" instead of "spans out"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "spans out" for singular subjects (e.g., "the river spans out"). Use "span out" for plural subjects (e.g., "the roots span out").

What's the difference between "spans out" and "extends"?

"Extends" is a more general term for reaching or stretching. "Spans out" implies a more outward, often radiating, extension from a central point or area. "Extends" doesn't necessarily have the same implication of originating from a central point, like "spans out" does.