What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expansive
Example
He had an expansive personality and was always eager to meet new people. [expansive: adjective]
Example
The hotel room had an expansive view of the ocean. [expansive: adjective]
Example
The book provided an expansive overview of the history of art. [expansive: adjective]
extensive
Example
The company conducted an extensive market research study before launching the product. [extensive: adjective]
Example
The museum had an extensive collection of ancient artifacts. [extensive: adjective]
Example
The professor assigned an extensive reading list for the course. [extensive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extensive is more commonly used than expansive in everyday language. Extensive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while expansive is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expansive and extensive?
Both expansive and extensive can be used in formal and informal contexts, but extensive is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
