What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inflate
Example
He used a pump to inflate the tire. [inflate: verb]
Example
The company inflated the prices during the holiday season. [inflated: past participle]
Example
The politician inflated his achievements to gain more votes. [inflate: verb]
expand
Example
The company plans to expand its operations to other countries. [expand: verb]
Example
Her knowledge of the subject expanded after taking the course. [expanded: past tense]
Example
The professor expanded on the topic during the lecture. [expand: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expand is more commonly used than inflate in everyday language. Expand is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inflate is less common and often used in specific financial or economic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inflate and expand?
Both inflate and expand can be used in formal and informal contexts, but inflate may be associated with a more technical or specialized tone due to its use in financial or economic contexts.
