a considerable favour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable favour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to do something that requires effort or is significant in nature. Example: "If you could help me with this project, I would be doing you a considerable favour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He is willing to pay someone to officiate at a depressed friend's own suicide, and will do a considerable favour to anyone acceding to his request.

The Guardian - Film

Rosol not only did Andy Murray a considerable favour by opening up that side of the draw, he illuminated the tournament with the sort of high-risk tennis rarely seen at this level.

The Guardian - Sport

In The Science Delusion, Rupert Sheldrake drags ten of the most powerful dogmas out of the basement and into the light of day; and does science, humanity and the world a large, a considerable favour.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Villiers, indeed, enjoyed considerable favour with the king, who granted him a private bounty of £400 p.a. in 1804 after being compelled to refuse him an office at Windsor Park.

Wikipedia

That argument, together with his personal popularity and nationalist reputation, finds considerable favour.

The Guardian

With a majority of just 12 MPs, Cameron cannot afford to alienate many of them over the issue of salaries and he will earn a considerable amount of favour if he does not block the rise.

The Guardian

Thus the inclusion of screen detected cases introduces a considerable bias in favour of screening.

British Medical Journal

Arguments in favour of a "considerable" expansion of QE advanced at this month's MPC meeting were: "The potential adverse consequences of adding another large monetary stimulus might be less severe than the possible costs of acting too cautiously.

The Guardian - Business

There was also a considerable number of proposals in favour of alternative approaches.

SEP

A considerable body of evidence also favours a significant role of the nucleus accumbens in delay discounting [44], but unlike the OPFC, the nucleus accumbens appears not to be involved in sensitivity to reinforcer size [43,45 47].

Behavioural Brain Research

A considerable body of evidence is building in favour of text message interventions for improving health outcomes.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable favour" when you want to emphasize that the action being requested or performed is significant, helpful, and perhaps involves some effort or sacrifice from the person doing the favour.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable favour" when the favour is minor or inconsequential. It's best reserved for situations where the help is genuinely substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable favour" functions as a noun phrase, where "considerable" is an adjective modifying the noun "favour". It's used to describe the magnitude or significance of the favour being referenced. Ludwig shows examples where it denotes a notable act of assistance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable favour" is a grammatically sound and semantically appropriate phrase to denote a significant act of assistance. While Ludwig identifies it as correct and usable, its occurrence is relatively rare. As the examples from Ludwig suggest, it is suitable for neutral to formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific writing or encyclopedic writing. Alternatives like "a significant favor" or "a substantial favor" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure that the favour being described genuinely warrants the adjective "considerable" to avoid overstating its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant favor

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the favor.

a substantial favor

Highlights the large extent or amount of the favor.

a great kindness

Focuses on the benevolent and generous nature of the act.

a significant service

Highlights the helpful and beneficial aspect of the favor.

a notable act of assistance

Emphasizes the remarkable or noteworthy nature of the help provided.

a major courtesy

Highlights the politeness and respect involved in the favor.

an important accommodation

Emphasizes the adaptation or adjustment made to provide the favor.

a generous turn

Focuses on the magnanimous and giving aspect of the favor.

a marked advantage

Highlights the benefit or gain resulting from the favor.

a worthwhile deed

Emphasizes the value and positive impact of the favor.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable favour" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable favour" when asking someone for significant help, like: "Would you do me "a considerable favour" and help me move this weekend?"

What's a more formal way to ask for "a considerable favour"?

For a more formal approach, consider using phrases like "a significant service" or "a substantial act of kindness". These options are often suitable in professional settings.

Is it appropriate to offer something in return when asking for "a considerable favour"?

Yes, it's often courteous to offer something in return when requesting "a considerable favour". This shows appreciation for the effort and acknowledges the significance of the request.

What's the difference between "a considerable favour" and "a small favour"?

"A considerable favour" implies a significant act of help, whereas "a small favour" suggests a minor or easily accomplished task. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the effort required.