a large dolphin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large dolphin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the size of a dolphin in a specific context, such as in a scientific report, a story, or an observation. Example: "During our trip to the ocean, we spotted a large dolphin swimming alongside our boat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's rather a large dolphin.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A second large dolphin swoops in to break it up.

The New York Times

That's an extremely large dolphin, I thought.

Los Angeles Times

I sprayed her and sprayed her, and she turned over and over like a large beautiful dolphin, lolling about in the sun.

The New Yorker

About 30 large dolphins beached themselves in north-eastern Brazil and at least seven have died.

BBC

Dolphin drive hunting involves herding a large number of dolphins and small whales into a secluded cove using noise or nets and then capturing or killing them.

Huffington Post

Though it is forbidden under Peruvian law to hunt dolphins or eat their meat (sold as chancho marino, or sea pork in English), a large number of dolphins are still killed illegally by fishermen each year.

Wikipedia

"A large group of dolphins followed the ships, as if they were also saying their last goodbye to the crew," Adm Motsak said.

The Guardian

Dr. Southern, who helped pioneer the search for a molecular signature of stress, said that last year she was ordered to curtail her work after discovering signs of chronic stress in a large number of dolphins.

The New York Times

As we neared Inverness we were greeted by a large pod of dolphins that played in our wake jumping out of the water so near to us on the deck we could see their features perfectly.

Huffington Post

The animal in question, Orcinus orca, is actually the largest dolphin.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing marine life, be specific about the species alongside indicating size; for example, "a large bottlenose dolphin" provides more context.

Common error

Avoid using just "large animal" when "a large dolphin" is more accurate and informative, especially in scientific or descriptive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large dolphin" functions as a noun phrase, where 'large' modifies the noun 'dolphin'. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. This phrase typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a dolphin's size.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large dolphin" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, suitable for describing the size of a dolphin across various contexts. As Ludwig AI validates, it's appropriate for both formal and informal settings, though more specific descriptors might be favored in scientific contexts. Alternatives like "big dolphin" or "sizable dolphin" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. The phrase is commonly found in news, science, and general informational sources, making it a versatile choice for diverse writing needs. Remember to provide more context when using the term, such as specifying the species.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a big dolphin

Uses a more common and general adjective for size.

a huge dolphin

Similar to "big" but often suggests a more impressive size.

a sizable dolphin

Indicates a considerable size, slightly more formal than "big".

a substantial dolphin

Emphasizes the significant size or presence of the dolphin.

an enormous dolphin

Emphasizes a much greater size than "large".

a massive dolphin

Highlights the bulk and weight of the dolphin.

an immense dolphin

Suggests an extremely large size, bordering on the immeasurable.

an outsized dolphin

Suggests the dolphin is larger than what is typical or expected.

a giant dolphin

Implies an exceptionally large size, possibly beyond the typical range.

a jumbo dolphin

Informal term suggesting a very large size.

FAQs

How can I describe the size of a dolphin?

You can use phrases like "big dolphin", "sizable dolphin", or "huge dolphin" to describe the size of a dolphin, depending on the degree of largeness you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "large dolphin" or "big dolphin"?

Both "large dolphin" and "big dolphin" are acceptable. "Large" is generally considered slightly more formal, while "big" is more common in everyday language.

What is the difference between "large dolphin" and "giant dolphin"?

"Large dolphin" indicates that the dolphin is of considerable size, while "giant dolphin" suggests that the dolphin is exceptionally big, perhaps even unusually so for its species.

In what contexts might I use the phrase "a large dolphin"?

You might use the phrase "a large dolphin" in scientific reports, news articles about marine life, or descriptive writing to depict the size of a particular dolphin. For example, "During our trip to the ocean, we spotted a large dolphin swimming alongside our boat."