a large clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large clue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant or substantial hint or piece of information that aids in solving a problem or mystery. Example: "The detective found a large clue that pointed directly to the suspect's whereabouts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Come on, chaps, there was a large clue – the 10% fall in Sports Direct's share price.

The Guardian - Business

My nieces test the bed and try to work out why the room is called Camelia, before deciding that the floral curtains give a large clue.

The Guardian - Travel

Secrecy surrounds the exact content of the shows but a large clue appeared last weekend with the overnight arrival of a boat lodged in a tree in the Briggate shopping district.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Or it could hold a larger clue about the new film's storyline.

Huffington Post

A large number of clues (23) received one or more nominations as your favourite, the winner being 'Grandpa's pipe (not getting snuff out) alight as of old' (AVALE), and those for MISTLETOE and UNUSUALLY in joint second place.

The Guardian

The blog post also discusses the Police Department's Real Time Crime Center, which was created in the aftermath of the Berkowitz case to enable detectives to better analyze a large repository of clues, like the parking summons that cracked the Son of Sam case.

The New York Times

Taken together, this information provides Carol with a large number of clues or "cribs" (to use the cryptanalytic term) to assist her attack.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The tech industry is about to get its largest clue as to just how mainstream ICOs can become.

TechCrunch

This test would tell if there was fluid around the heart, but it would also provide other clues: a large but localized region of weakness would argue in favor of a severe heart attack; global weakness would suggest a lack of thyroid hormone; a thickened and stiff heart would support amyloidosis.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, the independent association between serum adiponectin level and RA progression replicated here in such a large cohort gives pathophysiologic clues about the involvement of adipokines in the early clinical phase of RA and clearly demonstrates the link between a high level of serum adiponectin and structural disease progression.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The first clue is a large round hole at ground level in the hedge separating a ploughed field and a beech wood.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large clue", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the clue is pointing towards. Provide enough information so the reader understands the significance of the clue in the given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a large clue" when the clue is actually subtle or minor. Make sure the clue genuinely has a significant impact on understanding the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large clue" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a sentence or clause. It identifies a significant piece of information or a substantial hint relevant to solving a problem or understanding a situation. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is often used in contexts where a key piece of information has been discovered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large clue" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a significant hint or piece of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, although more commonly found in news and media. While it's a valid expression, remember to use it accurately when the clue truly has a considerable impact. Alternatives such as ""a significant hint"" or ""a major indication"" can be used to provide similar meaning, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant hint

Replaces "large" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the clue.

a major indication

Substitutes "clue" with "indication", highlighting that the clue points towards something.

a substantial piece of evidence

Replaces "clue" with "evidence", and "large" with "substantial", focusing on the evidentiary aspect.

an important lead

Uses "lead" instead of "clue", implying it's a direction to follow, and "important" instead of "large".

a key piece of information

Focuses on the informational aspect of the clue, highlighting its importance.

a revealing sign

Emphasizes the revealing nature of the clue, indicating it uncovers something.

a telling detail

Highlights the detail-oriented aspect of the clue and its ability to tell something important.

a considerable hint

Uses "considerable" in place of "large" to describe a hint

a weighty implication

Replaces "clue" with "implication", suggesting a deeper, more impactful hint.

a conspicuous signal

Focuses on the obvious nature of the clue, suggesting it's easily noticeable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large clue" to describe a significant piece of information that helps solve a mystery or understand a situation. For example: "The 10% fall in Sports Direct's share price was "a large clue" to their financial troubles."

What can I say instead of "a large clue"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant hint", "a major indication", or "a substantial piece of evidence" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a big clue" instead of "a large clue"?

While both "a big clue" and "a large clue" are understandable, "a large clue" often implies a more significant or impactful piece of information, whereas "a big clue" might simply refer to its obviousness. The choice depends on the specific context you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a clue" and "a large clue"?

"A clue" is a general term for any hint or piece of information that helps solve a puzzle or mystery. "A large clue" specifies that the clue is particularly significant, obvious, or impactful.