What's the Difference between "Expand" and "Expend"?

Expand

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Expand = to become bigger in size or importance. 

Examples:

• "His business expanded greatly throughout the previous year."
• "Balloons expand when you blow into them."
• "Our little class has expanded into a big school."

To expand also means to make something else bigger in size or importance.

Examples:

• "He wants to expand his vocabulary."
• "The government is going to expand the airport."
• "They will expand the short movie into a mini-series."

The word "expend" has a completely different meaning… 

Expend

Expend = to use a lot of time, money, energy, etc.

Examples:

• "James has expended all his efforts to help his family get out of debt."
• "Beth has expended huge amounts of money to build her dream house."
• "We have expended a lot of time and money on promoting our products."

In summary, to expand is to grow, and to expend is to use.

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