To a great extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To a great extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or applicable to a significant degree or amount. Example: "The new policy has improved employee satisfaction to a great extent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"To a great extent it's ready to go," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

To a great extent, the other networks joined in.

The New Yorker

To a great extent, it's a company of equals".

The New Yorker

"To a great extent older people really suffer from loneliness".

The New York Times - Arts

To a great extent this is a useful description.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To a great extent, the scenarios were characterized by this choice of core factors.

European Journal of Futures Research

To a great extent, fish consumption in the community is divided along generational lines.

Ecological Processes

To a great extent, and yet, probably not enough.

Huffington Post

To a great extent, this "nibbling" status continues.

Huffington Post

To a great extent, this tactic has worked.

Huffington Post

To a great extent, the answers are obvious.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to a great extent" to add nuance to your writing, specifying the degree to which a statement is true rather than making an absolute claim. For instance, instead of saying "The policy was successful", consider "The policy was successful to a great extent", providing a more accurate assessment.

Common error

While "to a great extent" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "largely", "considerably", or "substantially" to maintain reader engagement and enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a great extent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the degree or extent to which something is true or applicable. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to a great extent" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is true or applicable to a significant degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and encyclopedias. While it adds nuance and precision to writing, overuse should be avoided by considering synonyms like "largely", "considerably", or "substantially". Remember to use it to qualify statements rather than making absolute claims, thus providing a more accurate and balanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To a large extent

Synonymous, using "large" instead of "great".

To a considerable degree

Changes the word choice while maintaining the meaning of a sizable impact or influence.

To a significant degree

Emphasizes the importance of the degree or amount being referenced.

Largely

Offers a more concise way to express that something is mainly or mostly true.

Substantially

Highlights the significant amount or degree to which something is affected.

Extensively

Focuses on the broad scope or range of the impact.

In large measure

A more formal alternative expressing significant contribution.

For the most part

Indicates that something is generally true but may have exceptions.

Appreciably

Implies a noticeable or measurable degree.

Primarily

Indicates the main or principal aspect of something.

FAQs

What does "to a great extent" mean?

The phrase "to a great extent" means to a considerable degree or in a significant measure. It indicates that something is largely or mostly true, but not entirely.

How can I use "to a great extent" in a sentence?

You can use "to a great extent" to qualify a statement, showing the degree to which it is valid. For example, "The project's success was due, "to a great extent", to the team's dedication."

Are there alternatives to using "to a great extent"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "largely", "considerably", "substantially", or "to a significant degree" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "to a great extent" formal or informal?

"To a great extent" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although more concise alternatives might be preferred in very formal writing.