a greater test

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greater test" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a challenge or examination that is more difficult or demanding than others. Example: "The final exam was a greater test of our knowledge than any of the previous quizzes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A greater test may come on Tuesday or, as traditionally, on Fridays after afternoon prayers.

The New York Times

A greater test lies in wait next week in New England, against Manning's own greatest rival.

The Guardian - Sport

Sunday's Manchester derby may present a greater test of a strategist's capacity to devise a winning blueprint.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a greater test of strength in that hand-to-hand combat".

The New York Times

A greater test will be how he recovers from losing them.

The Economist

As such, it is a greater test of the personality of each party leader, or potential leader.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This is a great test.

The New York Times - Tech

Motherhood is a great test.

The Guardian - Books

"Physical courage is a great test".

The New Yorker

The Presidential elections are a great test".

The New Yorker

Here is a great test case.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a greater test" to indicate a more challenging situation compared to previous ones. Ensure the context clearly establishes the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a greater test" when simply referring to a difficult test without an explicit comparison to a lesser one. In such cases, "a great test" or "a challenging test" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greater test" functions as a comparative noun phrase, indicating a challenge or examination that is more significant or demanding than another. As suggested by Ludwig, it's often used to highlight an increased level of difficulty or importance in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a greater test" serves to highlight a more significant challenge or evaluation compared to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, this comparative phrase is grammatically correct and functions effectively across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While considered uncommon in frequency, it's a useful expression when you need to emphasize an increased level of difficulty or importance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a more significant challenge" or "a tougher examination" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more significant challenge

Replaces "test" with "challenge" to emphasize the difficulty aspect.

a tougher examination

Substitutes "test" with "examination" to highlight the evaluative nature.

a more rigorous evaluation

Stresses the thoroughness of the assessment.

a more demanding trial

Uses "trial" instead of "test" to suggest a rigorous process.

an increased difficulty

Directly states the rise in the level of difficulty.

a sterner assessment

Emphasizes the seriousness of the evaluation.

a more formidable task

Indicates the task is more daunting and requires significant effort.

a higher benchmark

Focuses on the elevated standard being set.

a steeper learning curve

Implies a faster and more challenging rate of learning.

a more intense ordeal

Highlights the difficulty and unpleasantness of the experience.

FAQs

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

Use "a greater test" when you want to compare a current challenge to a previous, less demanding one. For example, "The final exam was "a greater test" than the midterm."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a more significant challenge", "a tougher examination", or "a more demanding trial".

Is it always necessary to specify what the "greater test" is greater than?

While not always grammatically required, it's best practice to provide context to clarify what the ""a greater test"" is being compared to, ensuring clarity for the reader.

How does "a greater test" differ from "a great test"?

"A greater test" implies a comparison to something lesser, while "a great test" simply indicates a high degree of difficulty or importance. Choose ""a greater test"" when making a direct comparison.