a major

USAGE SUMMARY

"a major" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used as a noun phrase to refer to a major subject of study or a military rank. Here are some examples: - "English literature is my major at university." - "The major concern of the group was the environment." - "Captain Smith was promoted to the rank of major last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Play the A Major.

WikiHow

What makes a major a major?

The New York Times

It's a major felony.

The New Yorker

A major reset".

The New York Times

A major clarinet player".

The New Yorker

He's a major celebrity".

Independent

It's a major product".

The New Yorker

It's called a major.

The New York Times

A major reefer smoker.

The New Yorker

That was a major letoff.

The New York Times

It was a major endeavor.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of significance. Is it significant in size, impact, or importance?

Common error

Avoid using "a major" to describe trivial matters. Reserve it for situations where the impact or importance is genuinely substantial to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

"A major" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a pre-modifier followed by a noun, to emphasize the significance, size, or importance of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major" is grammatically sound and very commonly used in English to emphasize the significance or importance of something. As Ludwig AI validates, it is prevalent in contexts such as News & Media, Wiki articles, and Encyclopedias. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to highlight substantial matters. When using "a major", ensure you clearly define the scope of its significance and avoid overstating its importance to maintain credibility. Consider alternatives like "significant", "substantial", or "considerable" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its proper usage and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "a major" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant

Emphasizes the importance or impact of something.

substantial

Suggests something is large in size, amount, or degree.

considerable

Indicates something is worthy of attention or respect due to its size or importance.

principal

Highlights something as being the main or most important element.

key

Implies something is crucial or essential for achieving a particular outcome.

primary

Focuses on something being first in order of importance or sequence.

prominent

Suggests something stands out or is easily noticeable.

notable

Highlights something as being worthy of attention or remembrance.

dominant

Indicates something has controlling power or influence.

paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance or rank of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major" to describe something significant, important, or substantial, such as "That was "a major breakthrough"" or "It's "a major concern"".

What phrases can I use instead of "a major"?

Alternatives include "significant", "substantial", or "considerable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "major" without the article "a"?

While "major" can be used as an adjective (e.g., "major issue"), using "a major" typically functions as a noun phrase and requires the article to be grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "a major" and "a minor" in terms of importance?

"A major" indicates something of great significance or impact, whereas "a minor" suggests something of lesser importance or consequence.