a great thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a positive opinion or highlight the value of something in various contexts. Example: "Winning the award was a great thing for her career and boosted her confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A great thing, indeed.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's a great thing".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a great thing".

The New York Times - Sports

We're building a great thing.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a great thing".

The New York Times

"Competition is a great thing.

The New York Times

This is a great thing.

The New York Times

"But then a great thing happens.

Independent

Why mess with a great thing?

The New York Times - Tech

"Clarity is a great thing," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Phil said a great thing," Snedeker said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great thing" to express genuine enthusiasm or positive evaluation. Tailor your tone and context to match the level of formality required by your audience.

Common error

While versatile, avoid relying heavily on "a great thing" in formal writing. Opt for more specific and sophisticated vocabulary to convey your positive assessment with precision. For example, instead of "This policy change is a great thing", consider "This policy change represents a significant improvement."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great thing" functions as a noun phrase expressing a positive evaluation or benefit. It is often used to highlight the advantageous nature of an event, situation, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great thing" is a common and versatile phrase used to express a positive sentiment or highlight the beneficial aspects of something. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While suitable for various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations, it's advisable to use more specific and sophisticated language in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "a wonderful aspect" or "a significant advantage" for enhanced precision and impact. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources. Remember to use it to genuinely convey enthusiasm and positive evaluations, making sure that the overall tone meets the audience level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wonderful aspect

Emphasizes the positive qualities of a specific part or feature.

a fantastic occurrence

Highlights the exceptional and remarkable nature of an event.

a positive development

Focuses on progress and improvement in a situation.

an excellent opportunity

Stresses the advantageous nature of a specific chance or prospect.

a remarkable achievement

Underlines the noteworthy accomplishment.

a significant advantage

Highlights the importance and benefit of a specific factor.

a valuable asset

Presents something as a useful and important resource.

a welcome addition

Emphasizes the positive impact of incorporating something new.

a beneficial outcome

Focuses on the advantageous result of a situation.

a superb accomplishment

Highlights the highest level of achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "a wonderful aspect", "a fantastic occurrence", or "a positive development" depending on the context.

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

You can use "a great thing" to express a positive outcome, benefit, or advantage. For example, "The new initiative is a great thing for the community."

Is "a great thing" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "a great thing" might be perceived as informal in some academic contexts. Consider using more precise language, such as "a significant advantage" or "a positive contribution" for greater formality.

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

"A great thing" implies a higher degree of positivity and impact than "a good thing". "Great" suggests something is particularly beneficial or remarkable, while "good" simply indicates a positive quality.