a large following

USAGE SUMMARY

'a large following' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of people who support or admire a person or organization. For example, "The celebrity has grown in popularity, now boasting a large following of dedicated fans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Search through your followers to see if any of them have a large following.

Forbes

"We've got a large following.

Independent

Mr Beck has a large following.

The Economist

Wikipedia quickly gained a large following.

The New York Times

You have such a large following on Well.

The New York Times

For years he played with a jazz group called Instant Sunshine and attracted a large following.

The Guardian - Music

The loudest applause wasreserved for Paul, who has a large following among young people.

The Guardian

The Bryans, in particular, had become dominant figures on the tour, with a large following.

The New Yorker

He borrowed from many masters other than the Greek and had a large following himself.

The New York Times - Arts

One company with a large following abroad is Check Point Software Technologies, which provides Internet security.

The New York Times

With 7 g4!?, White embarks on a promising gambit, which has a large following these days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's influence, use "a large following" to emphasize their popularity and reach. For example, "The influencer has "a large following" on social media, making them an effective marketing partner."

Common error

Avoid using "a large following" when describing small, intimate groups. The phrase implies a significant number of people, so ensure it aligns with the actual size of the group you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large following" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It signifies the existence of a substantial group of people who support or admire someone or something. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large following" is a commonly used phrase to describe a substantial group of supporters or admirers. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, with neutral formality. While versatile, ensure the context aligns with a genuinely sizable group. Alternatives such as "substantial fanbase" or "significant number of supporters" can be used depending on the desired nuance and the context. Use "a large following" to effectively convey popularity and influence, while avoiding misuse in scenarios involving small or intimate groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount of followers

Slightly alters the original wording while maintaining the core meaning.

a substantial fanbase

Replaces "following" with "fanbase", emphasizing the group's enthusiasm.

a broad base of support

Highlights the support aspect, suggesting a foundation of backing.

a significant number of supporters

Replaces "large" with "significant number", providing a more formal tone.

an extensive network of fans

Focuses on the network aspect, suggesting interconnectedness among the fans.

a wide circle of admirers

Emphasizes the admiration aspect of the group, using "circle" to suggest a community.

a sizable contingent of adherents

Employs more formal language, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

a numerous group of devotees

Uses "devotees" to highlight the loyalty and dedication of the following.

a massive audience

Focuses on the size of the audience or viewership.

a legion of followers

Implies a very large and organized group of followers.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large following" to describe someone who has many supporters or fans. For instance, "The band gained "a large following" after their song went viral."

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

Alternatives include "substantial fanbase", "significant number of supporters", or "wide circle of admirers" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a large following" in formal writing?

Yes, "a large following" is appropriate in formal writing. However, for more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "considerable amount of followers" or "sizable contingent of adherents".

What's the difference between "a large following" and "an admiring following"?

"A large following" simply indicates a big number of followers. "An admiring following" specifies that the followers hold the subject in high regard, adding an element of positive sentiment.