What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expand
Example
The company plans to expand its operations to other countries. [expand: verb]
Example
The teacher asked the student to expand on their answer to provide more detail. [expand: phrasal verb]
increase
Example
The government plans to increase funding for education. [increase: verb]
Example
There has been an increase in the number of people using public transportation. [increase: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is more commonly used than expand in everyday language. Increase is a versatile word that can be used in many different contexts, while expand is more specific and less commonly used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between expand and increase?
Both expand and increase can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, expand may be more commonly used in formal writing or business contexts due to its specific connotations.
