Words / B1

ik-STENT/ɪkˈstent/

Extent is size or degree: the extent of the damage; to some extent; to a large extent. Extension is extra time or a building. Degree is a close twin. Do not write “to a big extent” — large/great is the collocation. Inspectors disagreed about the extent of mould.

Meaning

The size or degree of something (the extent of; to some extent).

Examples

• “Inspectors disagreed about the extent of the mould problem.”
• “The plan works to some extent, which is a useful hedge in essays.”

Good to know

the extent of; to some / a large / a great extent. Mix-up: extension. Close: degree / scale. Hedge: to some extent. Not “to a big extent”.

Near in meaning

degree

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