a large

USAGE SUMMARY

"a large" is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of something, especially when it is greater than average. For example, "The cake was a large round chocolate cake".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A large infrastructure project?

The New Yorker

A large shore party.

The New Yorker

He's a large personality".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a large job.

The New York Times

It's a large world.

The New York Times

It's a large group.

The New York Times

America's a large country.

Forbes

A large fish.

Forbes

"He's a large human".

Los Angeles Times

A large aquarium requires a large filter.

WikiHow

Find a large sheet.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the scale you're describing. For example, "a large country" implies geographic size, while "a large number" refers to quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "a large" when a more specific adjective is appropriate. Saying "a large better" is incorrect; instead, use "much better" or "significantly better".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective preceding a noun. It serves to indicate that the noun it modifies possesses a size, quantity, or extent that is above average. Ludwig shows many examples where this function is evident, confirming its prevalent usage in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

54%

News & Media

42%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe the size or extent of something, with a neutral to informal register. It is very commonly used, especially in Wiki and News & Media contexts. While grammatically correct and versatile, the phrase should be used thoughtfully, opting for more specific descriptors when appropriate to enhance precision. Ludwig provides many examples, confirming its usage in descriptive contexts. According to Ludwig AI, "a large" is indeed a valid and common phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial

Emphasizes considerable amount or size, often implying importance.

a considerable

Highlights the noteworthiness of the size or amount.

a sizable

Focuses on the size being noticeably big.

a significant

Indicates the importance or impact related to the size.

a massive

Suggests a great size, often implying impressiveness or difficulty to manage.

an enormous

Emphasizes a size that is beyond the usual.

a huge

Indicates a very big size.

a grand

Implies impressive size or scope.

a sweeping

Suggests broadness or extensiveness.

a wide

Focuses on the extent or breadth of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a large" in a sentence?

You can use "a large" before a noun to describe its size or extent. For example, "a large house", "a large group", or "a large amount".

What are some alternatives to "a large"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a substantial", "a considerable", "a sizable", or "a significant".

Is it correct to say "a large number of" or "a big number of"?

"A large number of" is generally considered more formal and precise. "A big number of" is acceptable in informal contexts, but "a large number of" is preferred in formal writing.

What is the difference between "a large" and "a great"?

"A large" typically refers to physical size or quantity, while "a great" often indicates quality, importance, or intensity. For example, "a large building" vs. "a great achievement".