a great extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a significant degree or level of something. Example: "The project was successful to a great extent due to the team's hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Supervision "has not been standardized to a great extent.

The New York Times

Art is, to a great extent, craft.

The New Yorker

And that is a great extent indeed.

The New York Times - Magazine

And to a great extent did.

The Guardian - Books

Our environment defines us, and to a great extent.

Stanford University

"Standup has become repoliticised to a great extent," he says.

The Guardian

To a great extent this is a useful description.

Britannica

The computational effort is saved to a great extent.

Composite Structures

"To a great extent it's ready to go," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And, to a great extent, he was right.

The New York Times

To a great extent, the other networks joined in.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great extent" to emphasize the significant impact or influence of something, rather than simply stating a fact. For instance, "His success was to a great extent due to his perseverance."

Common error

While "a great extent" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "significantly", "considerably", or "largely" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great extent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the degree or scope of an action, quality, or manner. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it specifies how much something is true or applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great extent" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a significant degree or level. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. While common in News & Media, Science and Academia, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "considerably" or "significantly" for variety. Understanding its function and register allows for effective communication in both formal and informal settings. With examples pulled from highly authoritative sources such as the The New York Times, the phrase is a strong and effective way to convey the importance or reach of something in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a large extent

Uses "large" instead of "great", offering a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning.

to a considerable degree

Replaces "great" with "considerable", indicating a significant but not necessarily maximal level.

to a significant degree

Substitutes "great" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the extent.

to a high degree

Replaces "great" with "high", focusing on the intensity or level of the extent.

largely

A single-word adverb that conveys the idea of "to a great extent" in a more concise way.

substantially

Implies a considerable amount or degree, similar to "a great extent".

to a marked degree

Emphasizes that the extent is noticeable or prominent.

in large measure

An idiomatic expression that means "to a great extent" or "mostly".

appreciably

Indicates that something is noticeable or measurable to a considerable degree.

extensively

Highlights the comprehensive or widespread nature of the extent.

FAQs

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

Use "a great extent" to indicate that something is true or happens to a significant degree. For example, "The project's success was to "a great extent" due to the team's dedication."

What are some alternatives to "a great extent"?

You can use alternatives such as "considerably", "significantly", "largely", or "substantially" depending on the context.

Is "to a great extent" formal or informal?

"To "a great extent"" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "a great extent" and "a large extent"?

The phrases "a great extent" and "a large extent" are nearly synonymous and can often be used interchangeably. The choice between them is often a matter of stylistic preference.