a big public

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big public" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a large audience or group of people, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The event attracted a big public, eager to hear the speaker."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"A big public school!

The New Yorker

Cambodia was getting a big public welcome.

The New York Times

"I'm not a big public speaker," he said.

The New Yorker

IMAGINE you are trying to win a big public contract in a developing country.

The Economist

But Holmes is nevertheless a powerful catch, with impeccable sporting credentials, and a big public profile.

Independent

As a big public company, Live Nation can't do business that way.

The New York Times

"BECOMING the chief executive of a big public company is the pinnacle of a business career".

The Economist

"He didn't have any desire to make a big public statement, really," Mr. MacMahon said.

The New York Times - Arts

Some economists think full privatisation is the answer.What is more, a big public sector is expensive.

The Economist

In essence, the shopping experience becomes a big public fashion party.

The New York Times

He said there would be a "big public engagement" about the spending review.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "a big public" is commonly used, consider using alternatives like "a large audience" or "the general public" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. These options are more precise and widely accepted in formal writing.

Common error

Don't use "a big public" when you can be more specific. Instead of saying something like "The initiative was aimed at a big public", clarify who you are targeting. For instance, use "the initiative was aimed at the general public" or "a broad audience of consumers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big public" functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "public". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not grammatically correct. This makes it less suitable for formal contexts, despite its frequent appearance in various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "a big public" is frequently used, particularly in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Therefore, consider replacing it with clearer and more precise alternatives like "the general public", "a large audience", or other context-specific terms to improve the accuracy and formality of your writing. Although frequently used, opting for grammatical precision enhances clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large public

Replaces 'big' with 'large' maintaining the core meaning of a sizable general population.

the general public

Replaces "a big public" with "the general public", indicating the population at large.

a significant public

Substitutes 'big' with 'significant' to emphasize the importance or impact of the public being referenced.

a substantial public

Uses 'substantial' instead of 'big' to suggest a considerable amount or size of the public.

a wide public

Employs 'wide' to denote the extensive reach or scope of the public.

a broad public

Similar to 'wide public', but 'broad' implies a diverse range of people.

the wider community

Shifts focus from 'public' to 'community', suggesting a group with shared interests or location, and uses 'wider' to express the scale.

a large audience

Changes 'public' to 'audience' to specify those who are watching or listening, and employs 'large' to denote a significant number.

a sizable populace

Replaces 'public' with 'populace,' indicating the entire population of an area, using 'sizable' to define the extent.

a considerable number of people

Replaces "public" with "number of people", and "big" with "considerable", changing the structure for the same meaning.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "a big public"?

While commonly used, "a big public" is not grammatically ideal. Consider using alternatives like "the general public", "a large audience", or "a wide range of people" for greater clarity and correctness.

In what contexts might I use "a big public"?

Although not strictly correct, "a big public" is often found in news and media contexts. However, for formal writing, it's best to opt for alternatives like "the general public" or "a large audience".

Is "a big public" considered formal or informal language?

Due to its loose grammatical structure, "a big public" leans toward informal usage. For professional or academic contexts, choose more precise alternatives like "the general population" or "a significant number of people".

How can I ensure my writing is clear when referring to a large group of people?

Avoid vague terms. Instead of "a big public", specify the group you're referring to, using terms such as "the consumer base", "the voting population", or "the scientific community" depending on the context.