Cool MateEnlarge vs Expand
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enlarge
Top 3,000 (common)
Expand
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most common: Expand
| Enlarge | Expand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈlɑːdʒ//🇺🇸 //ɛnˈlɑrdʒ// | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈspænd//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈspænd// |
| Meaning | To make something bigger. | to make something bigger or more in amount |
| Example | The scientist wanted to enlarge the sample for better analysis. | The company plans to expand its operations into new markets. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | enlarge an image, enlarge a space, enlarge a photograph, enlarge a product, enlarge one's understanding | expand a business, expand horizons, expand your mind, expand on an idea, expand the service |
| Antonyms | shrink, decrease, diminish | shrink, contract, reduce |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'expand'; 'enlarge' is specific to size., Using 'enlarge' without an object, which is often incorrect. | Confusing 'expand' with 'extend', which refers to prolonging something rather than making it larger., Using 'expand' without an object (e.g., 'expand' instead of 'expand it')., Incorrectly using 'expand' in situations where 'grow' or 'increase' is more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Common in discussions about images, spaces, or physical objects. Avoid in casual speech if simpler words like 'make bigger' are available. | Use 'expand' for increasing size, numbers, or range. It's appropriate in academic or formal contexts but can also be used informally. Avoid using it in contexts where the meaning is of a steady state rather than change. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enlarge vs Expand
What's the difference between Enlarge and Expand?
Enlarge: To make something bigger. Expand: to make something bigger or more in amount
Which is more common: Enlarge and Expand?
Expand is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Enlarge: The scientist wanted to enlarge the sample for better analysis. Expand: The company plans to expand its operations into new markets.
Can I use Enlarge and Expand interchangeably?
Not always. Enlarge and Expand are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.