a big fare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big fare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant cost or charge for a service, typically in the context of transportation, such as taxis or public transit. Example: "The taxi ride from the airport to the hotel had a big fare, which surprised us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That still leaves a significant budget gap, which will almost certainly require a big fare increase in early 2011.

The New York Times

It's a big fare increase through the back door," he said.

The Guardian - Money

The transportation authority is far from financially secure, and many observers believe a big fare increase could be the only tenable method to raise the requisite cash.

The New York Times

Mr Trivedi had said he had been advised to impose a big fare increase as there had been none in nearly a decade, but had opted for a modest rise instead, out of "concern for the common man".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Others, including some city officials, the transport workers' union and the Straphangers Campaign, an advocacy group, believe that the agency may be exaggerating its problems as a way to justify a bigger fare increase and smaller raises for its workers.

The New York Times

He recalled his last big fare, a couple he picked up on a Saturday night.

The New York Times

According to Respicio Espirito Santo, an aviation consultant, airlines will probably find seats for foreign football fans by suppressing domestic demand with big fare rises.

The Economist

Page A26 IF DRIVERS WIN, RIDERS LOSE The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is threatening big fare increases for everyone who uses public transit.

The New York Times

And big fare increases would not go down well with passengers whose complaints about overcrowded, uncomfortable and corruptly managed train services are legion.

The Economist

The mayor's transport adviser, Kulveer Ranger, ruled out imposing big fare increases last week and said the mayor would go directly to the Department for Transport for the cash.

The Guardian

But random checks can occur frequently, and fare-beaters face a big fine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a big fare", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a significant cost for transportation or a similar service. For clarity, specify the mode of transport or service, for example, "a big taxi fare".

Common error

Avoid using "a big fare" when more specific language can better convey the reason for the high cost. Instead of saying "the fare was big", consider specifying the factors that made it expensive, such as distance, time of day, or additional services.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big fare" functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "fare". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples illustrate its use in discussing transportation costs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big fare" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a notably high transportation cost. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "an expensive fare" and "a high fare", offering similar meanings. When using "a big fare", clarity is key; specify the mode of transport to avoid ambiguity. While acceptable, consider more descriptive language to detail why the fare was high.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an expensive fare

Replaces "big" with a direct synonym for cost.

a high fare

Uses "high" to indicate a considerable price.

a costly fare

Emphasizes the expense associated with the fare.

a substantial fare

Indicates a significant amount of money is required.

a large fare

Uses "large" as a synonym for "big" in terms of monetary value.

a hefty fare

Suggests the fare is surprisingly expensive.

a considerable fare

Similar to "substantial", indicating a noteworthy cost.

an exorbitant fare

Implies the fare is excessively high and unreasonable.

a premium fare

Suggests the higher fare is for a better service or class.

a steep fare

Implies the fare is unreasonably high.

FAQs

How can I use "a big fare" in a sentence?

You can use "a big fare" to describe a transportation cost that is notably high. For example: "The unexpected detour resulted in a big fare on the taxi ride home."

What's the difference between "a big fare" and "an expensive fare"?

While similar, "a big fare" is more general, simply indicating a high cost. "An expensive fare" directly emphasizes that the cost is considered high relative to expectations or other options.

What are some alternatives to saying "a big fare"?

Consider using alternatives such as "a high fare", "a costly fare", or "a substantial fare" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a big fare" or "a large fare"?

"A big fare" and "a large fare" are largely interchangeable. "Big" is slightly more informal and common in everyday speech, while "large" may sound slightly more formal.