a large tome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large tome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a book that is notably big, often implying it is heavy or substantial in content. Example: "After weeks of searching, I finally found a large tome on ancient civilizations at the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

As co-author of a large tome on Spanish furniture, Junquera has strong opinions about the subject.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the dying days of Labour government, the former minister Alan Milburn wrote a large tome on social mobility, a subject he is also pursuing for the current administration.

The Guardian - Business

He said the old processes associated with policy reform – delivering a large "tome" that didn't deliver the desired result – tended to mean the tome became little more than a doorstop.

The Guardian

Among the titles: Bill Clinton's autobiography, "My Life"; Carl Bernstein's book about Hillary Clinton, "A Woman in Charge"; "Shopping for Bombs," a book about the nuclear bomb network by Pakistan's nuclear scientist A. Q . Khan Les Services Secrets Chinoiss"; and a large tome entitled "The Defense of the Realm: The Authorised History of MI5," by Christopher Andrews.

The New Yorker

At the centennial gala, Foer and others, including Wieseltier, waxed grandiose about the New Republic's history as a journal of ideas, of great debates, of concepts and "blah blah blah". The celebration, the costs of which the New Republic wouldn't divulge, offered as party gifts a large tome of great New Republic essays going back to its beginnings.

The Washington Post

A large tome called "Palm Beach People" (PowerHouse, $85), written by Hilary Geary Ross and packed with full-page, tenderly curated photographs by Harry Benson, shows the mogul at Mar-a-Lago with his third wife, Melania, who stands in a satin gown split to the thigh, facing the camera with a pantherine glare.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In 1909 Lady Diana Manners (later Cooper) gave Eve a large blank tome intended as a diary.

The New York Times - Books

Each night, after composing in his journal, Morris falls asleep across the pages of a large French tome.

The New York Times - Books

"It's a big tome," she said.

The New York Times - Books

It is a heavy tome, utterly devoid of insight, warmth, wisdom or likeability.

Independent

(Actually, my husband is currently carrying around "From Dawn to Decadence," but everybody knows that large tomes read by one spouse count as having been read by both).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, consider using "a large tome" to lend an aura of historical significance or scholarly weight to the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a large tome" when describing a simple or casual book. It can sound pretentious or overly formal in everyday conversation or informal writing. Consider simpler alternatives like "a big book".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large tome" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. "Large" describes the size of the "tome", while the entire phrase acts as a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large tome" is a phrase used to describe a substantial book, often implying scholarly weight or comprehensiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, with a slightly formal tone. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific aspect you want to emphasize – size, content, or formality. While examples are not abundant, the phrase remains a valid and descriptive option for emphasizing the significance of a book.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial book

Replaces "tome" with the more general term "book" while retaining the sense of size.

a voluminous work

Emphasizes the extensive content of the book, replacing "large" with "voluminous".

a weighty volume

Replaces both "large" and "tome", focusing on the physical heaviness and formality of the book.

a comprehensive manual

Suggests a thorough and detailed guide, shifting the focus from size to content completeness.

an extensive treatise

Implies a formal and detailed scholarly work, emphasizing depth of analysis.

a hefty manuscript

Highlights the physical size and the handwritten nature (or the feel of it) of the book.

an expansive study

Focuses on the breadth and scope of research covered in the book.

a sizable publication

Uses a more neutral term, "publication", to describe the book's substantial size.

a big book

Simplifies the phrase by using the common adjective "big" instead of "large".

a thick volume

Focuses on the thickness of the book, implying many pages and significant content.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large tome" to describe a physically big and often academically significant book. For example, "The researcher consulted "a large tome" on the history of ancient Rome."

What's the difference between "a large tome" and "a big book"?

"A large tome" implies not only size but also a degree of scholarly importance or complexity, whereas "a big book" simply refers to physical dimensions. Therefore a "book" refers to size while the word "tome" gives more importance to its content.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a substantial book", "a weighty volume", or "a voluminous work".

Is "a large tome" appropriate for describing fiction?

Yes, but use it judiciously. While typically used for non-fiction, describing a fictional work as "a large tome" can emphasize its length and depth, suggesting an immersive reading experience. A word like "saga" could be more appropriate for fiction in most cases.