a big person

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "a big person" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is physically large or tall. Example: "John was a big person, towering over everyone at a height of 6'5"."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Accordingly, a Big person represents someone who has a more inclusive or bigger personal perspective on society, that is, one who is more generous, caring, forgiving, considerate and selfless as well as someone who has more fully developed higher cognitive functions, and who is thereby more stable, mature, and non-neurotic personality in general [ 45, 46].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Like her, I'm not a big person.

The New York Times - Sports

Even though he's not that big, you get the feeling of a big person.

Harvard University

He was a big person in the community; he was God.

The Guardian

"A big person of football stops, so I told him bravo for your career," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

It takes a big person to acknowledge it and make it right.

The New York Times

"You just feel better about having a big person on a big horse," Little said.

The Guardian

Putting a big person in a small venue is still a staple of Presidential-campaign politics.

The New Yorker

"It looked like a big person, but it was an 11-year-old boy".

The New York Times

"All of those things that convey to them you're a big person trying to push around a little person".

The New York Times

He chose me because I had big hands and feet and so was liable to become a big person.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big person" to describe someone's character, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean physical size, maturity, or moral strength. For example, "It takes "a big person" to admit when they are wrong" clearly refers to maturity and integrity.

Common error

Avoid using "a big person" in ambiguous contexts where it's unclear whether you're referring to physical size or character. Provide clarifying details to prevent misinterpretations. For example, instead of just saying "He's "a big person"", specify "He's "a big person" physically" or "He's "a big person" in terms of his maturity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big person" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing either the physical attributes or the character traits of an individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big person" is a common expression with dual meanings, referring both to physical stature and emotional maturity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's important to provide context to avoid ambiguity and ensure the intended meaning is clear. While often neutral in tone, consider the specific situation and audience to ensure respectful communication. When referring to emotional intelligence, alternatives like "a mature individual" or "a generous soul" may provide more precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large individual

Focuses on physical size, emphasizing the person's stature.

an important figure

Shifts the meaning to someone influential or significant.

a person of stature

Highlights both physical size and social standing.

a generous soul

Emphasizes the person's kindness and magnanimity.

a person of consequence

Highlights the impact and importance of the person's actions.

a physically imposing person

Specifically denotes someone of large and often intimidating physical presence.

a towering figure

Implies both height and significance.

a person of great influence

Highlights the person's ability to affect others.

a magnanimous individual

Focuses on the person's generosity and forgiving nature.

an adult

Simple term for a grown-up, emphasizing maturity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big person" to describe someone who is physically large, like "He was "a big person", towering over everyone". It can also describe someone mature or generous, as in "It takes "a big person" to apologize".

What does it mean to be "a big person"?

Being "a big person" can refer to someone who is physically large. Alternatively, it can describe someone who is mature, understanding, and forgiving, demonstrating qualities of emotional intelligence.

What can I say instead of "a big person" when referring to maturity?

When referring to maturity or moral strength, you can use alternatives like "a mature individual", "a generous person", or "a responsible adult".

Is it appropriate to use "a big person" to describe someone's physical appearance?

Yes, it is generally acceptable to use "a big person" to describe someone's physical size, although it's important to be mindful of potential sensitivities and use the phrase respectfully. You could also consider using "a large individual" as an alternative.