What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
increase
Example
The company plans to increase its profits by 20% this year. [increase: verb]
Example
There has been an increase in the number of students attending the school. [increase: noun]
expand
Example
The business is planning to expand its operations to other countries. [expand: verb]
Example
The company's expansion plans include opening new stores in different cities. [expansion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is more common than expand in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can be used in various situations. Expand is more commonly used in technical or specialized contexts, such as business, economics, or science.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between increase and expand?
Expand is generally considered more formal than increase, as it is often used in technical or specialized contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings, depending on the context and audience.
