In the English language, the term “extend” is used to convey the act of making something longer, broader, or more extensive. It is a versatile word that can be applied in various contexts and situations. In this guide, we will explore multiple ways to express “extend” formally and informally. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Extend”
1. Prolong
Prolong is an elegant and formal synonym for “extend.” It signifies the act of lengthening the duration or length of something. For instance, “He decided to prolong his stay in the city to explore more attractions.”
2. Lengthen
When a physical object requires extension, you can use the word lengthen. For example, “The architect decided to lengthen the hallway to accommodate more people.”
3. Enlarge
The term enlarge implies broadening or scaling up something in size or capacity. It can be applied to various scenarios, such as “They enlarged their business to cater to international markets.”
4. Stretch
When you want to communicate the idea of extending something in a flexible manner, stretch can be used. For instance, “She stretched the fabric to cover the entire table.”
5. Elongate
Elongate is often used when describing the act of extending something in a way that increases its length, typically in a gradual or unnatural way. For example, “The snake extended its body to reach the prey.”
Informal Ways to Say “Extend”
1. Add on
When talking casually, you can use the phrase add on to indicate extending something. For example, “Let’s add on an extra day to our vacation to visit the nearby town.”
2. Keep going
In a more informal setting, you might say keep going to express the notion of extending or continuing an activity or period. For instance, “The party was so much fun that they decided to keep going until late at night.”
3. Drag out
To imply making something last longer than expected, you can use the informal expression drag out. For instance, “The meeting was dragged out due to endless debates on the topic.”
4. Stretch out
Similar to “keep going,” stretch out conveys the idea of extending something, often in terms of time or distance. For example, “They decided to stretch out their road trip and visit additional destinations.”
5. Prolongate
Though not as common as the other informal terms, prolongate can be used playfully to sound distinctive. For example, “Let’s prolongate our lunch break and enjoy some extra relaxation time.”
Examples and Tips for Using “Extend” in Sentences
Now, let’s look at some examples of how to use “extend” in context, along with valuable tips:
1. Example: Formal Use
“The professor granted an extension to the students for the research paper deadline.”
Tip: When composing formal documents or emails, it is recommended to use “extend” as a more professional term compared to its informal synonyms.
2. Example: Informal Use
“Hey, can you extend the due date for our group project? We need more time to finalize everything.”
Tip: In informal settings, you can comfortably use synonyms such as “add on,” “keep going,” or “drag out” to express the idea of extension.
3. Usage in Academic Writing
In academic writing, it is crucial to maintain a formal tone. Therefore, when discussing extension, it is best to utilize more formal synonyms like “prolong,” “lengthen,” or “enlarge.”
4. Usage in Conversational English
In casual conversations, feel free to experiment with the more informal terms like “add on,” “keep going,” or “stretch out.” It can add a friendly and relaxed tone to your discussions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the English language offers various options to express the idea of “extend” formally and informally. Each synonym carries its own nuance and can be used based on the context and level of formality required. Remember to consider the tone and setting when selecting the appropriate term. So go ahead, expand your vocabulary, and confidently express the act of extending in English!
