a major thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is significant or important in a particular context. Example: "The decision to expand the business into new markets is a major thing that will impact our growth strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

So that's a major thing".

The New Yorker

"The subway alone is a major thing.

The New York Times

That's a major thing for the precinct.

The New York Times

"It's a major thing," he said.

The New York Times

It is a major thing for us".

The Guardian

"It's not a major thing," Bramlage said in a statement.

The New York Times - Sports

I think that's a major thing for us".

The New York Times

And I do think it'll become a major thing in e-commerce".

The New York Times - Tech

"The other nine will be doing well abroad, which is such a major thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Azra Horowitz Lower Manhattan I didn't know that it was a major thing at that age.

The New York Times

"It was a major thing at the time: it was a real horse in the studio in London," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "a major thing" with synonyms like "a significant matter" or "an important issue" in formal writing for better clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a major thing" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound informal and less impactful than more precise alternatives. Opt for "a crucial element" or "a key factor" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major thing" functions as a nominal phrase, often acting as a subject complement or an object. It describes something of significance, importance, or consequence, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major thing" is a common phrase used to denote something significant or important. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, though it might be considered informal in academic or business contexts. When writing, it's best to ensure the context clarifies what "thing" refers to, and consider using more precise alternatives like "a significant matter" or "an important issue" for formal settings. While acceptable in many scenarios, being mindful of the intended audience and context will help you choose the most effective wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant matter

Replaces "major thing" with synonyms "significant matter" while maintaining a similar level of formality.

an important issue

Substitutes "major thing" with "important issue", focusing on the relevance of the subject.

a crucial element

Replaces "major thing" with "crucial element", emphasizing the essential nature of something.

a key factor

Substitutes "major thing" with "key factor", highlighting its role as a determining influence.

a big deal

Replaces "major thing" with the more informal "big deal", conveying importance in a more casual tone.

a momentous event

Substitutes "major thing" with "momentous event", focusing on the historical or impactful nature of an occurrence.

a matter of consequence

Replaces "major thing" with the more formal "matter of consequence", emphasizing the importance of the issue at hand.

a substantial concern

Substitutes "major thing" with "substantial concern", emphasizing the potential negative impact if not addressed.

a notable occurrence

Replaces "major thing" with "notable occurrence", highlighting the newsworthiness or unusual nature of something.

something of importance

This alternative phrase uses a more descriptive approach to convey the significance of the "major thing".

FAQs

What does "a major thing" mean?

"A major thing" refers to something that is significant, important, or of considerable consequence. It is a common way to describe an event, issue, or development that has a notable impact.

What can I say instead of "a major thing"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant matter", "an important issue", or "a crucial element" depending on the specific context.

Is "a major thing" too informal for academic writing?

Yes, "a major thing" is generally considered informal and may not be suitable for academic writing. In such contexts, more formal alternatives like "a substantial concern" or "a matter of consequence" are more appropriate.

How do I use "a major thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a major thing" to describe something significant, such as: "The new policy change is "a major thing" for our company" or "Winning the championship was "a major thing" for the team."