a big joy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a big joy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of great happiness or delight. For example, "Seeing my daughter graduate with honors was a big joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In early Saroyan writings, Mr. Leggett finds that "under the sense of man's tragedy lay a big joy".

The New York Times - Books

That, I have to say, has been a big joy for me.

Huffington Post

Bradman later wrote after both had died: "With these fellows out of the way, the loyalty of my 1948 side was a big joy and made a big contribution to the outstanding success of that tour".

Wikipedia

In 1995, after both Fingleton and O'Reilly had died, Bradman wrote: "With these fellows out of the way, the loyalty of my 1948 side was a big joy and made a big contribution to the outstanding success of that tour"; the Australians went through the 1948 English summer undefeated.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Big Joy" focuses on the gay poet and filmmaker James Broughton, whose work in the 1960s and '70s made him a voice of the sexual revolution.

The New York Times

"The big joy has gone right now," was Schumacher's pointed remark in the wake of a miserable race in which he finished 12th and was often bullied out of positions.

Independent

Schumacher told BBC Sport: "The big joy is not there right now".

BBC

The big joy for me is that writing is the least ageist of any career.

Huffington Post

Biggest joy Seeing a referee book a player who showed an imaginary yellow card.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the big joys of his life is nurturing artists over time".

The New York Times - Arts

Johannes Brahms's First Piano Concerto — much of which he composed, in an early form, in 1854, at the age of twenty-one, and completed four years later — is, to my ear, the piece in the standard classical repertory that, more than any other, boils over with the wild energies of youth, with its big dreams and big joys, big sorrows and big ideas, and abrupt eruptions of mixed emotion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big joy" to express genuine happiness or pleasure derived from a specific event, person, or achievement. It's best suited for contexts where the joy is substantial and easily identifiable.

Common error

While "a big joy" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "immense gratification" or "profound satisfaction" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big joy" functions as a noun phrase, serving to identify a specific source of significant happiness or delight. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big joy" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase used to express considerable happiness or delight. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests that while it is appropriate in many situations, more formal synonyms might be preferable in professional writing. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources. When using "a big joy", ensure it clearly reflects the source and intensity of the happiness you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great delight

Replaces "joy" with "delight" maintaining a sense of happiness.

an enormous delight

Replaces "joy" with "delight", amplifying the intensity.

a considerable happiness

Focuses directly on the state of happiness.

a major source of happiness

Emphasizes the origin of the positive feeling.

a significant pleasure

Substitutes "joy" with "pleasure", focusing on enjoyment.

a profound satisfaction

Highlights the depth of the feeling.

a great source of elation

Highlights a sense of extreme happiness.

an immense gratification

Replaces "joy" with a more formal "gratification".

a huge thrill

Focuses on the excitement aspect of joy.

a massive kick

Uses a more informal expression for enjoyment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big joy" to describe something that brings you great happiness. For example, "Seeing my children succeed is "a big joy"".

What are some alternatives to "a big joy"?

Alternatives include "a great delight", "a major source of happiness", or "a significant pleasure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a big joy" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a big joy" might sound too informal for certain professional contexts. Consider more elevated synonyms such as "profound satisfaction" or "immense gratification".

What's the difference between "a big joy" and "a small joy"?

"A big joy" signifies a significant source of happiness, while "a small joy" refers to a minor or simple pleasure. Both describe sources of happiness, but differ in the degree of intensity.