[ti:Extend, Expand, etc.]
[al:Ask a Teacher]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2025-02-22]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ann in China. Here is part of Ann's question:
[00:11.16]Hello Teachers,
[00:12.90]Could you please help me understand the difference between "extend," "expand," "stretch," [and] "enlarge" when I describe an activity that makes something larger than its current state?
[00:32.04]Thank you, Ann.
[00:34.80]We can use the four verbs Ann asked about to express an increase in physical size or amount. 
[00:44.31]We can also use them to express increasing the time an activity takes.
[00:52.51]Extend
[00:54.98]We often use the verb "extend" to talk about increasing the amount of time for an activity or program. For example:
[01:08.72]Officials want to extend the school year by six weeks.
[01:14.96]We can use the verb "extend" to express an increase in people, things, or ideas. 
[01:23.74]Consider the following examples:
[01:28.14]The new rule extends to all employees in the company.
[01:33.36]They want to extend the benefits of freedom to people around the world.
[01:39.91]This research will extend our knowledge.
[01:44.55]We can also use "extend" to express the distance or the area something reaches. For example:
[01:55.67]The Rocky Mountains extend from the United States into Canada.
[02:02.07]Expand
[02:04.62]We use "expand" to express an increase in the size of a project or program. 
[02:12.77]And, like "extend," we can use "expand" to talk about including more people. 
[02:20.91]Consider the following example:
[02:25.12]Officials want to expand the program to include people from developing countries.
[02:32.15]We commonly use "expand" in connection with business or industry:
[02:39.78]We want to expand our business to reach more customers.
[02:44.97]Stretch
[02:48.25]We can use the phrasal verb "stretch out" to express increasing the time to continue an activity:
[02:58.14]I wanted to stretch out my vacation for an extra two or three days.
[03:04.82]We can use the verb "stretch" to express improving our ability to do something:
[03:12.64]Learning a new language will stretch your mind and improve your problem-solving abilities.
[03:21.47]Note that when we use the verb "stretch" in this way, we communicate the idea that the improvement might be a little difficult or take a lot of effort.
[03:37.07]Enlarge
[03:39.10]Unlike the verb "extend," we do not use "enlarge" to talk about an increase in time.
[03:49.38]Instead, it simply means to increase in size or scope.
[03:54.71]Scope means all of the things connected to an activity or project. Consider the following example:
[04:04.67]They have enlarged their research team to examine the effects of pollution on animals.
[04:12.16]For our readers and listeners, what are your questions about American English? 
[04:19.86]How are you trying to expand your knowledge? 
[04:23.55]We want to hear from you! Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
[04:31.53]And please let us know where you are from, too.
[04:36.75]And that's Ask a Teacher.
[04:40.72]I'm Andrew Smith.