sprawling city

USAGE SUMMARY

'sprawling city' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase when describing a large city made up of many buildings and streets. For example, "The sprawling city of New York covers many miles and is home to millions of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For decades, fear of earthquakes made Tokyo a sprawling city.

The New York Times

Onlookers continued to arrive from distant parts of the sprawling city to snap pictures.

The New York Times

If a sprawling city like Dallas can do it, why not others?

The New York Times - Arts

THIS sprawling city is known internationally for many things — but great dance isn't one of them.

The New York Times - Arts

From the viewing platform, 36 floors above the sprawling city, the vista was bright.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jakarta, a sprawling city of 10 million, has long had a problem with air pollution.

The New York Times

A sprawling city of 3.7 million people, Changsha boasts more than 2,000 years of history.

The Guardian

Seoul cabbies who wear white gloves and know every cranny of their sprawling city.

The New York Times - Sports

He worked in Yongchuan District, one of the countless regions administered by the sprawling city of Chongqing.

The New Yorker

CUERNAVACA, A ONCE pretty, now sprawling city with volcano views just south of the capital, is a typical Mexican town.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The policy team is supported by others at Facebook's sprawling, city-sized campus in Menlo Park, California.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "sprawling city", consider adding descriptive details about the factors contributing to its sprawl, such as urban planning policies, population growth, or transportation infrastructure. This can add depth to your description and provide a clearer picture of the city's characteristics.

Common error

Avoid using "sprawling city" as a default adjective for any large city. Ensure that the term accurately reflects the city's characteristics of low-density development and outward expansion. If the city is compact or high-density, a different descriptor would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sprawling city" functions as a descriptive term, where the adjective "sprawling" modifies the noun "city". Ludwig AI confirms that this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in describing the physical characteristics of various cities worldwide.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sprawling city" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a city characterized by its extensive size and low-density development. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media and academic contexts. While generally neutral, it can sometimes carry negative connotations related to urban sprawl. When using the term, consider providing specific details to enhance your description, but avoid overuse as a generic descriptor. If you are looking for alternatives, consider using phrases like ""extensive urban area"", ""large metropolitan area"", or ""vast urban landscape"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive urban area

Replaces "sprawling" with "extensive" emphasizing the large area covered by the city.

large metropolitan area

Substitutes "sprawling city" with a more general term emphasizing the size and urban nature.

vast urban landscape

Focuses on the visual impression of the city's size.

widespread urban center

Highlights the dispersed nature and centrality of the city.

expansive town

Using "expansive" instead of sprawling; less common but similar.

sizeable urban region

Emphasizes the considerable size of the urban region.

broad municipal territory

Highlights the wide geographical expanse of the municipality.

boundless conurbation

Implies that the city has no boundaries; the term conurbation suggests a merging of several towns.

open-plan urbanism

Focuses on the layout being open and spread out rather than compact.

dispersed settlement

This phrase emphasizes the dispersed nature of the settlement, contrasting it with compact urban forms.

FAQs

How can I use "sprawling city" in a sentence?

You can use "sprawling city" to describe a city that is spread out over a large area. For example, "Los Angeles is a "sprawling city" known for its extensive highway system and low-density development."

What are some alternatives to "sprawling city"?

Alternatives include "extensive urban area", "large metropolitan area", or "vast urban landscape". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sprawling city" a positive or negative term?

The term "sprawling city" is generally neutral, but it can sometimes carry negative connotations related to urban sprawl, such as increased traffic, environmental concerns, and social segregation. However, it can also simply describe the physical characteristics of a city without implying any judgment.

What makes a city "sprawling"?

A city is considered "sprawling" when it exhibits low-density development, extensive outward expansion, reliance on automobile transportation, and separation of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. These factors contribute to the city's spread-out nature.