a great

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great" is a correct and usable phrase in English.
You can use it to describe something that is particularly positive or to add emphasis to an adjective, for instance: "He is a great singer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Great.

The New York Times

A great guy and a great baker.

Independent

A great novel and a great film.

The New Yorker

"A great reporter.

The New Yorker

"A great rebounder.

The New York Times

"What a great moment".

The New York Times

Indeed a great joke.

The New York Times - Books

It's a great rivalry.

The New York Times

"He's a great salesman.

The New Yorker

Michael's a great player.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's a great temptation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great" to express genuine enthusiasm or admiration. It's suitable for many situations, but consider alternatives for a more nuanced tone in formal settings.

Common error

While versatile, "a great" can sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Replace it with more precise adjectives like "significant", "remarkable", or "outstanding" to elevate your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that intensifies the meaning of the noun it precedes. Ludwig confirms this, demonstrating its use across diverse examples to denote something of high quality or significance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

BBC

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great" is a versatile adjective phrase used to express admiration, emphasis, or approval. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, primarily in news and media contexts. While appropriate for many situations, consider more formal alternatives like "excellent" or "remarkable" in academic or professional writing. Avoid overusing "a great" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. This guide provides practical tips and alternative phrases to enhance your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent

Replaces "great" with a more formal synonym, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

a wonderful

Offers a slightly more enthusiastic and positive tone than "great".

a fantastic

Similar to "wonderful", but with a stronger sense of excitement and delight.

a remarkable

Emphasizes the unusual or exceptional nature of something.

an outstanding

Highlights the superior quality and prominence of something.

a significant

Indicates importance or consequence, rather than general approval.

a notable

Draws attention to something that is worthy of being noticed or remembered.

a considerable

Implies a substantial amount or degree of something.

a substantial

Similar to "considerable", but with a focus on the solid or concrete nature of something.

a momentous

Highlights the historical importance or far-reaching consequences of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "a great" in a sentence?

You can use "a great" to describe something positive or impressive, for instance, "He is "a great leader"" or "That was "a great game"".

What can I say instead of "a great"?

Alternatives include "an excellent", "a wonderful", or "a fantastic" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it okay to use "a great" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a great" might sound too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using stronger, more precise adjectives like "significant" or "remarkable" instead.

What's the difference between "a great" and "a good"?

"A great" implies a higher level of admiration or impressiveness than "a good". Something that is "good" is satisfactory, while something that is "great" is exceptionally positive.