a grand favour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grand favour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting or expressing gratitude for a significant or generous act of kindness. Example: "I would greatly appreciate it if you could do me a grand favour and help me with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have a granddaughter.

The New Yorker

They had a son and a granddaughter.

Independent

Rab and Mary have a granddaughter, Peaches.

Independent

Marshall Bush, a granddaughter, was there.

The New York Times

She was a granddaughter of F.A.O.

The New York Times

Ten grandsire families were used in a granddaughter design.

Journal of Dairy Science

Mr. Hamilton is survived by a brother, Don; a daughter, Denise Hamilton; a granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters.

The New York Times - Arts

Naomi was like a granddaughter to him.

The Guardian

Survivors include a sister, Anne Lester, and a granddaughter.

The New York Times - Books

He is also survived by a granddaughter.

The New York Times

He is survived by a granddaughter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grand favour" to emphasize the exceptional nature or impact of the favor being requested or acknowledged. While grammatically sound, be aware that it is less common than alternatives like "a big favor" or "a great favor".

Common error

Avoid using "a grand favour" too frequently, as its uncommon usage can make your writing sound unnatural or overly formal. Opt for more common alternatives like "a significant favor" or "a big favor" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grand favour" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "ask for a grand favour") or the complement of a preposition (e.g., "in need of a grand favour"). Given the absence of examples, Ludwig's assessment of correctness is particularly important.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a grand favour" is grammatically correct but infrequently used in contemporary English. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While it conveys the idea of a significant act of kindness, its formality and relative rarity make it less common than alternatives like "a big favor" or "a great favor". Its purpose is to request or acknowledge a substantial act of assistance. Due to the lack of widespread usage, its appearance in various contexts is limited, emphasizing the importance of considering audience and context when choosing this phrase. When aiming for an informal or common expression, consider other alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant favor

Replaces "grand" with "significant", indicating the importance of the favour.

a considerable favor

Substitutes "grand" with "considerable", highlighting the substantial nature of the favour.

a great favor

Uses "great" instead of "grand", denoting a large or important favour.

a huge favor

Replaces "grand" with "huge", emphasizing the magnitude of the favour.

a large favor

Uses "large" to indicate the extent or impact of the favour.

an enormous favor

Substitutes "grand" with "enormous", stressing the considerable size of the favour.

a substantial favor

Replaces "grand" with "substantial", signifying the value or importance of the favour.

a major favor

Uses "major" to emphasize the significance and potential impact of the favour.

a big favor

A more common and informal alternative to "a grand favour".

a significant kindness

Replaces "favor" with "kindness", shifting the focus to the benevolent nature of the act.

FAQs

What does "a grand favour" mean?

The phrase "a grand favour" refers to a significant or substantial act of kindness or assistance that someone does for another person. It implies that the favour is more than just a simple task; it is something of considerable importance.

What can I say instead of "a grand favour"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant favor", "a great favor", or "a big favor" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "a grand favour" formal or informal?

"A grand favour" leans towards being more formal than alternatives like "a big favor". While understandable, it is not as commonly used in everyday conversation. If you're aiming for a casual tone, consider using a different phrase.

How do you use "a grand favour" in a sentence?

You might say, "I would be grateful if you could do me "a grand favour" and help me move this weekend." or "Thank you for doing me "a grand favour" by watching my cat while I was away."