a big segment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big segment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large portion or part of something, often in contexts like market analysis, demographics, or data representation. Example: "In our research, we found that a big segment of the population prefers online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"These men are such a big segment of the population".

The New Yorker

A big segment of the news media is now exploiting political correctness for all it's worth.

The New York Times - Sports

A big segment of a creative generation, including Mr. Mapplethorpe, was lost to AIDS.

The New York Times

The Philadelphia office had brought the case, and so when the producer from "60 Minutes" called to say he wanted to do a big segment about the world's first teenage stock market manipulator, he called the Philadelphia office.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only Muslim to vote against the bill was Rehman Chishti, a Conservative; like many other Tories from the provinces, he felt the government had ignored a big segment of traditional and religious-minded voters.

The Economist

On what planet is it fine for someone like Mr. Miller, a former federal law enforcement official, to be the one to do a big segment on a major government security agency?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I believe firmly that fi nancial advertising will break out soon again as a bigger segment of total advertising in both print and broadcast?? media.

The New York Times

"Carmen in many ways pioneered a bigger segment in economics, this push to look at history more," says Mr. Rogoff, explaining why he chose her.

The New York Times

Thus a bigger segment is more likely to bear sensitive information.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

"We believe there's a pretty big segment of the market that knows there's a difference between the products, but they might not know which one to use," said Mr. Martin of Liquid Wrench.

The New York Times

Lots of singer-songwriters, lots of '90s hip-hop and electronic dance artists, a pretty big segment of current younger jazz musicians, parts of Beyoncé and Alicia Keys, and of course D'Angelo, whose recent round of European concerts after a 12-year absence — camera-phone videos are all over YouTube — has people thinking about how powerful the mixture can get.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big segment" when you want to emphasize that the portion you are describing is not only large in size, but also important or influential within the context you're discussing.

Common error

While "a big segment" is acceptable, consider using more precise language like "a significant portion" or "a substantial component" in formal reports or academic papers to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big segment" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a notable portion of a larger group or entity. It identifies a specific part that is considerable in size or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

16.66%

Formal & Business

16.66%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big segment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a substantial portion of a larger entity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, serving to describe significant portions of populations, markets, or other groups. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and choose more precise alternatives like "a significant portion" or "a substantial component" for formal writing. Its frequency indicates that it is a conventional way to communicate the size and importance of a particular group, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large portion

Replaces "segment" with "portion", emphasizing the part-whole relationship but not necessarily a defined group.

a significant section

Substitutes "big" with "significant" and "segment" with "section", implying importance and division.

a considerable fraction

Uses "considerable" and "fraction" to suggest a notable part of a whole, often in numerical contexts.

a substantial component

Employs "substantial" and "component" to highlight a key element, typically within a system or structure.

a major division

Focuses on the act of dividing into large parts.

a sizable chunk

Replaces "segment" with the more informal "chunk", suggesting a noticeable piece.

a noteworthy percentage

Highlights the numerical value of the segment, emphasizing its relative size in percentage terms.

an important group

Focuses on the people forming the segment.

a dominant share

Emphasizes the control or influence of the segment in a market or population.

a commanding piece

Highlights that the segment represents something with impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big segment" to describe a substantial part of a population, market, or group. For example, "A big segment of the market prefers eco-friendly products".

What are some alternatives to "a big segment"?

Alternatives to "a big segment" include "a large portion", "a significant section", or "a considerable fraction", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a big segment of the population"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "a big segment of the population" is a common and acceptable way to refer to a large part of the population.

What's the difference between "a big segment" and "a significant segment"?

While both phrases indicate a notable portion, "a big segment" emphasizes size, while "a significant segment" emphasizes importance or impact.