vast expanse

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast expanse" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe large, open areas, such as the desert, an ocean, or a prairie. For example: "The desert stretched out into a vast expanse of sand and sagebrush."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He'd get lost in the vast expanse.

The New Yorker

I stare into the vast expanse.

The Guardian - Books

Around me, a vast expanse of empty courts.

The New Yorker

This vast expanse of land was Tyler Dunn's playground.

The Guardian

Today, the lake is a vast expanse of salt flats.

The New Yorker

It's a vast expanse of peat bog, very different from leafy Surrey, where I'm originally from.

Independent

"One thing we do have is vast expanse and endless miles of gravel road".

The New York Times - Sports

Huge dunes flank a vast expanse of sand that stretches for several miles.

The Guardian - Travel

Soon there was a vast expanse of dun-colored desert below.

The New York Times

The foundation sits beside the Greenwich Polo Fields, a vast expanse of greenery that Brant owns.

The New Yorker

His factory is a vast expanse of brushland in west Texas.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast expanse" to vividly describe geographical features like deserts, oceans, or plains, emphasizing their scale and openness.

Common error

Avoid using "vast expanse" when describing smaller areas or quantities; opt for more fitting terms like "large area" or "substantial amount".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast expanse" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig confirms its acceptability in standard English, and examples show it modifying geographical locations, time, or abstract concepts. Examples include "a vast expanse of water" and "across the vast expanse of Iowa".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vast expanse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something large and open. According to Ludwig, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. The term appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by scientific articles and encyclopedias. While generally neutral, its formality can shift based on context. When using "vast expanse", it’s important to ensure that the described entity is indeed large and open to avoid overuse in limited contexts. Ludwig’s examples highlight its versatile application, painting vivid images of geographical features, abstract concepts and time frames.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial expanse

Replaces "vast" with "substantial", suggesting a considerable but not necessarily immense size.

tremendous expanse

Substitutes "vast" with "tremendous", emphasizing the impressive size or scale.

great expanse

Uses "great" instead of "vast", conveying a similar sense of size and scope.

huge expanse

Employs "huge" in place of "vast", highlighting the immense scale.

wide expanse

Replaces "vast" with "wide", focusing on the breadth or width of the area.

large expanse

Uses "large" as a substitute for "vast", indicating a considerable size.

sizeable expanse

Employs "sizeable" in place of "vast", suggesting a noteworthy size.

massive expanse

Replaces "vast" with "massive", emphasizing the immense scale.

immense expanse

Substitutes "vast" with "immense", conveying a similar sense of enormousness.

broad expanse

Uses "broad" instead of "vast", focusing on the extensive width.

FAQs

How can I use "vast expanse" in a sentence?

Use "vast expanse" to describe something large and open, such as, "The Sahara Desert is a "vast expanse" of sand and rock."

What phrases are similar to "vast expanse"?

You can use alternatives like "tremendous expanse", "great expanse", or "huge expanse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'a vast expanse of emptiness'?

Yes, it is correct. You can use "vast expanse" to describe emptiness, nothingness, or any large, open area or space.

What is the difference between "vast expanse" and "broad expanse"?

"Vast expanse" emphasizes the immense size and scope, while "broad expanse" focuses more on the width or breadth of the area. Therefore, the best choice depends on whether you wish to emphasize area or width.