a great gesture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a great gesture' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a kind, considerate, or generous action someone has taken. For example: John bought me a flower to cheer me up - what a great gesture!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"That's a great gesture on their part," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

A great gesture no doubt that will let off some steam.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She kept saying, 'Relax, we're on pace.' It was a great gesture".

The New York Times - Sports

This was a great gesture of self-pity and after this the coldness of reality and the status of Scandinavia.

The Guardian

"I understood their concerns, and I thought it was a great gesture on their part to help out in the end".

The New York Times - Sports

It's a great gesture when organisations do sign up, but it costs little for banks, local councils, KPMG or anyone else employing few minimum-wage staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It would be great to be served a lot quicker so we can get back in our vehicles and move on and treat patients". Richard Bentley, a paramedic and member of Unison, added: "I think it is a really great gesture from Liz and Gail, the idea behind it is brilliant.

BBC

This is a true coming-of-age story about a woman squeezing a whole life into one great gesture, and in the end her energy matters most, a civilizing energy.

The New York Times - Arts

It is a coming-of-age story about a woman squeezing a whole life into one great gesture.

The New York Times - Arts

And Johnny's got a great hand gesture here on this line".

The New York Times

With all this temporal confusion, is there not the opportunity for a great British gesture?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great gesture" to describe an action that is particularly kind, generous, or thoughtful. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a great gesture" is appropriate in many situations, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "a thoughtful deed", "a kind act", or "a generous action".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great gesture" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "gesture". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase correctly describes a significant act of kindness or generosity, and can be seen in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great gesture" is a commonly used phrase to describe an act of kindness or generosity, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase and is generally used in neutral contexts across various sources such as news, formal business communications and wikis. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it is advisable to diversify vocabulary by using synonyms like "a kind act" or "a thoughtful deed" to avoid repetition. Remember to use "a great gesture" when you want to give extra importance to the act of generosity/kindness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a kind act

Replaces 'gesture' with 'act', emphasizing the action itself and focusing on the kindness involved.

a thoughtful deed

Substitutes both 'great' and 'gesture' to highlight the thoughtfulness behind the action.

a generous action

Focuses on the generosity of the action, using 'action' as a more general term for 'gesture'.

a remarkable act

Highlights the noteworthiness of the action performed.

an exceptional favor

Emphasizes the helpful and unusual nature of the gesture.

a commendable effort

Shifts the focus to the praiseworthy effort put into the action.

a significant contribution

Highlights the importance and impact of the gesture.

a noteworthy display of kindness

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention the element of kindness, adding detail.

an admirable demonstration

Focuses on the exemplary nature of the demonstration or act.

a praiseworthy display

Highlights that the act is worthy of praise.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great gesture" to describe an action that shows kindness or generosity. For example, "Donating to the charity was "a great gesture"".

What are some alternatives to "a great gesture"?

You can use alternatives like "a kind act", "a thoughtful deed", or "a generous action" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a great gesture" or "a good gesture"?

"A great gesture" implies a higher degree of kindness or significance compared to "a good gesture". The choice depends on the impact and intent of the action.

Can "a great gesture" be used sarcastically?

While primarily used to express genuine appreciation, "a great gesture" could be used sarcastically in contexts where the action is perceived as inadequate or insincere, although this is less common.