Raena
Expand the capacity or extend the capacity?? I'm trying to find the differences between these two verbs, extend and expand, which both mean to enlarge. Could anyone please explain the differences between them? For "capacity", which one is better to be used?
May 22, 2019 8:24 AM
Answers · 3
Michael explains it very well. In general, there's a volume sense to "expand", and a linear or directional sense to "extend". For instance, if you said you were going to EXPAND production in a factory, then you are going to increase volume of production. If you said you were going to EXTEND production, it would mean you were going to linearly extend through time the hours of production. Production hours are going to be increased or extended in time. But often the terms are interchangeable and volume/direction overtones mean nothing. As an example, in common usage I can both say, "I am expanding/extending the volume of my dam." The meaning remains the same - I'm increasing the capacity of the dam. Until you familiarize yourself with all the usages and when they can be interchanged, I'd suggest using 'expand' when there is a volume sense - literal or metaphorical, and 'extend' when the overtone is somewhat linear .... time/distance, etc. There'll be exceptions I'm sure, but you'll escape trouble most times this way.
May 22, 2019
Definitely 'expand'.
May 22, 2019
"Expand" has a volume overtone (and an area, a two-dimensional meaning) which is good for capacity, obviously (unless you mean capacity not in a literal sense, but figuratively, meanings skills or abilities). "Extend" has more or a linear meaning. But these literal meanings are widely overlooked in normal usage, and they are largely interchangeable I think :) (You could always enlarge a capacity, too ... Of these three linked to "capacity", google lists 527 million with "expand", 371 million with "extend", and 38 million with "enlarge" ..) https://www.dailywritingtips.com/expanded-and-extended/ https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/303658/extend-or-expand
May 22, 2019
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!