a great joy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great joy" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a feeling of extreme happiness or pleasure. Example: "Seeing my children succeed brings me a great joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a great joy for an editor.

The New York Times - Books

It was a great joy, actually.

The Guardian - Film

She said: "Observation is a great joy.

The Guardian - Books

That is a great joy to me".

The Guardian

It's a great joy in life".

The Guardian - Sport

It was a great joy for me".

The Guardian - Sport

He's a great joy to have in a rehearsal room.

The Guardian

"It's a great joy to have a superb thing and keep it in shape," he says.

The New Yorker

"It's a great joy to spend time on her," he said.

The New York Times

It has been a great joy to gather up the many fragments these past three years.

The Economist

He told reporters it was "a great joy and an immense relief, obviously, to be free.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great joy", consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the level of happiness you intend. For more formal settings, "a great pleasure" may be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "a great joy" excessively in highly formal or business writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound overly enthusiastic; consider alternatives like "a significant benefit" or /s/a+great+satisfaction" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a great satisfaction instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great joy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It expresses an intense feeling of happiness or pleasure. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to describe experiences or situations that bring significant happiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great joy" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey strong feelings of happiness and pleasure. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as supported by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, from personal reflections to news reports. While generally neutral in tone, its suitability can vary depending on the formality of the context. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "a great pleasure" in more formal settings. Overall, "a great joy" remains a powerful and effective way to express profound happiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great gladness

Replaces "joy" with "gladness", maintaining a similar level of intensity in expressing happiness.

a tremendous joy

Substitutes "great" with "tremendous", emphasizing the magnitude of the joy experienced.

a great delight

Uses "delight" as a substitute for "joy", expressing a more refined or gentle pleasure.

a terrific joy

Uses "terrific" instead of "great" to describe the joy, offering a slightly more informal tone.

a wonderful joy

Replaces "great" with "wonderful" to describe the joy, adding a sense of admiration or amazement.

a huge joy

Substitutes "great" with "huge", emphasizing the large scale of the joy.

a great celebration

Shifts the focus from personal feeling to a communal expression of happiness or success.

a great rejoicing

Transforms the noun phrase into a gerund phrase, focusing on the act of expressing joy.

a great thrill

Replaces "joy" with "thrill", suggesting a more exciting and stimulating experience.

a great cheer

Emphasizes the expression of joy, often in a vocal or demonstrative manner.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great joy" to express strong feelings of happiness or pleasure, for example: "It is a great joy to see you succeed" or "Finding time for hobbies is a great joy in my life".

What can I say instead of "a great joy"?

You can use alternatives like "a great delight", "a great pleasure", or "a tremendous joy" depending on the context.

Is "a great joy" formal or informal?

"A great joy" is generally considered neutral but can lean towards informal depending on the specific context. In highly formal settings, "a great pleasure" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a great joy" and "a great pleasure"?

While both express positive feelings, "a great joy" often conveys a deeper, more heartfelt happiness, whereas "a great pleasure" can imply a more refined or intellectual satisfaction.