a greatest of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greatest of" is not correct in written English.
It is not usable because "greatest" is a superlative adjective and should not be preceded by "a." Example: "He is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And you can earn even more tickets by sharing augmented reality graphics that superimpose a "Greatest of All Time" message, or a newspaper highlighting sneaker history, on real-world imagery.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A great deal of steam.

Independent

A great sense of humor.

The New Yorker

A great fan of James Joyce.

The New Yorker

Jenna's a great friend of mine.

The New York Times

He took a great gulp of air.

The New York Times

A great biography of James (Amazing) Randi.

The New York Times - Books

A great net of radio masts.

The New Yorker

And a great sense of biological meaning".

The New Yorker

"It was a great game of cricket.

BBC

"He had a great deal of charm.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a greatest of". The correct phrasing is "one of the greatest" or "among the greatest" to adhere to standard English grammar.

Common error

A common mistake is to precede superlative adjectives like "greatest" with the indefinite article "a". Remember that superlatives already indicate the highest degree and don't need an indefinite article. Instead, use "one of the greatest" or rephrase to avoid the superlative altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greatest of" functions incorrectly as an attempt to identify something as the most superior within a category. However, the grammar is flawed. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not correct in written English, because "greatest" is a superlative adjective and should not be preceded by 'a'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a greatest of" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the superlative adjective "greatest" should not be preceded by the indefinite article 'a'. While the intention is to express high praise, the incorrect grammar undermines this purpose. It's advisable to use alternatives like "one of the greatest", "among the best", or other similar phrases to convey the intended meaning accurately and effectively. Stick to standard English grammar for clear and credible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of the greatest

Replaces the incorrect 'a greatest of' with the correct 'one of the greatest' to denote inclusion in a group of highly esteemed individuals.

among the best

Offers a similar meaning by using 'best' instead of 'greatest', maintaining a sense of high quality or achievement.

top of the line

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate the highest quality or rank.

best of the best

Emphasizes the superior quality by using a double superlative.

elite of the elite

Highlights exclusivity and exceptional quality.

cream of the crop

An idiomatic alternative that suggests the best individuals or items from a larger group.

leading figure

Focuses on prominence and influence within a specific field.

foremost example

Emphasizes being the most important or best example.

premier choice

Suggests the top or most excellent option available.

ultimate example

Emphasizes the final or most definitive example.

FAQs

Is "a greatest of" grammatically correct?

No, "a greatest of" is grammatically incorrect. The superlative adjective "greatest" should not be preceded by the indefinite article "a". It's more appropriate to use "one of the greatest" or rephrase the sentence.

What are some alternatives to "a greatest of"?

Instead of "a greatest of", consider using alternatives like "one of the greatest", "among the best", or "top of the line" depending on the context.

How can I correctly use the word 'greatest' in a sentence?

To correctly use 'greatest', you can say "one of the greatest", as in "He is one of the greatest athletes of all time." Alternatively, use a phrase like "among the best" or "best of the best".

What's the difference between "a greatest of" and "one of the greatest"?

"A greatest of" is grammatically incorrect because it misuses the superlative adjective. "One of the greatest" is correct and indicates that something or someone belongs to a group of highly esteemed individuals or items.