a greater farce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greater farce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is even more absurd or ridiculous than another situation previously mentioned. Example: "The last meeting was a disaster, but this one turned out to be an even greater farce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's hard to imagine a greater farce.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It typifies a great farce performance in which innocence is corrupted by experience.

The Guardian

"That was a great big farce, but I was young and dumb and it worked," Huffins said.

The New York Times - Sports

That lusty self-interest is the motor of all great farces.

The New York Times

Like all great farces, "The Italian Straw Hat" is as much concerned with order as disorder; Fadinard's world spins around furiously but never topples.

The New York Times

In the midst of celebrating the Union's victory, President Lincoln was enjoying a production of the great farce Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC.

Vice

Mistaken identity makes for great farce, and, paradoxically, identical twinship provides a way to examine what makes us different.

The New York Times - Books

(Lawrence Van Gelder) 'ENTERTAINING MR. Scott Ellistt Ellis's underpowered production of Joe Orton's great farce of sexual hypocrisy, which stars Alec Baldwin in a comedy sketch of a performance, is breezy, often funny and rarely convincing.

The New York Times

Panics, and moral panics especially, make for great farce in retrospect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The larger problem comes when Washington is so full of tragedies that it begins to look like one great farce.

The New Yorker

But, for all the verve of John Mortimer's adaptation, I'd say Lindsay Posner's production is pleasantly diverting while rarely achieving the dizzying dementia of great farce.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a greater farce" to emphasize the escalating absurdity of a situation compared to a previous one. It's effective when highlighting the worsening nature of events.

Common error

Avoid using "a greater farce" when simply describing something as bad or undesirable without a prior comparison. The phrase implies a comparative increase in absurdity, not just a general negative assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greater farce" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subjective complement, typically following a linking verb (e.g., "is", "became"). It identifies or describes something as an instance of absurdity or mockery, and, according to Ludwig AI, is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a greater farce" is a phrase used to describe something as an increased level of absurdity, predominantly appearing in News & Media sources. While grammatically correct and usable according to Ludwig AI, it's crucial to employ it in contexts where a comparative degree of ridiculousness is genuinely intended. For alternative expressions, consider options like "a bigger joke" or "an utter absurdity" to ensure the message aligns with the desired tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bigger joke

This alternative uses a more informal and direct term to convey the idea of something being ridiculous.

a farcical situation

This alternative retains the original term but uses it as an adjective to describe the situation.

a complete sham

This implies a deliberate deception or pretense, adding a layer of insincerity to the situation.

an utter absurdity

This emphasizes the illogical and nonsensical nature of the situation.

a total mockery

This highlights the act of ridicule or contempt, suggesting a lack of respect.

a ridiculous charade

This suggests a deceptive and elaborate performance meant to conceal the truth.

a pathetic excuse

This implies weakness and inadequacy, suggesting that something is failing to meet expectations.

a laughable pretense

This emphasizes the falseness and ridiculousness of something being presented as genuine.

a grand deception

This conveys a sense of scale and deliberate intent to mislead, implying a more elaborate scheme.

an unbelievable travesty

This conveys a sense of outrage and injustice, suggesting that something is a gross distortion of what it should be.

FAQs

How can I use "a greater farce" in a sentence?

Use "a greater farce" to describe a situation that is even more ridiculous or absurd than something previously mentioned. For example: "The initial plan was flawed, but the revised version turned out to be "a greater farce"."

What's a good alternative to "a greater farce"?

Alternatives to "a greater farce" include "a bigger joke", "a complete sham", or "an utter absurdity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a greater farce" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a greater farce" carries a strong sense of ridicule. In formal writing, consider whether a more neutral term like "a significant failure" or "a considerable setback" might be more appropriate.

What makes something "a greater farce" rather than simply "a farce"?

The term "a greater farce" implies a comparison. It suggests that the situation being described is not only absurd but also represents a worsening or escalation of a previously existing absurdity. It emphasizes the comparative degree of ridiculousness.