a very enormous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very enormous" is not correct in standard written English due to redundancy.
You can use it in informal contexts, but it is better to choose one of the modifiers. Example: "The elephant was a very enormous creature, towering over the other animals in the zoo."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(He concluded, of course, by saying in interpreterese, "I consider that you have a very enormous talent," and offering to take Yo-Yo on as a student).

The New York Times - Arts

And, as a source very close to Trump made plain, "If it goes from a fixed amount to what could be a very enormous amount — even a small percentage of two and a half billion dollars or whatever is a lot of money — we're talking about very huge things.

The New Yorker

Listen, it's no big deal or anything (it is; it is a very enormous deal), but I got a verified blue tick on Twitter last week.

Vice

Flashy ads are indicative of an auction that will be high priced, may have reserves (a set price on an item), and usually a very enormous crowd.

WikiHow

Flashy ads are indicative of an auction that will be high priced and may have reserves (a set price on an item) and a very enormous crowd.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"He's asking for a very special, enormous house".

The New York Times

It is a very big enormous software program that is just doing what it is doing — just counting and so on.

The New Yorker

The PASCAL data set was considered very enormous, impractical, now up to [? image net. ?] We're moving up into that direction.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He and his friends used to create characters for themselves - his would change every week, but he was known for his "very, very enormous trousers".

The Guardian - Arts

Its impact on public health and economy is becoming very enormous.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

He has a very wide mouth, enormous.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and precision, choose either "very" or "enormous", as using both together is redundant. Opt for stronger single words like "immense" or "gigantic" for greater impact.

Common error

Don't use "very" with words that already imply a high degree of something. Saying "very enormous" is like saying "very gigantic". It's better to use one strong adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very enormous" functions as an adjectival modifier, aiming to describe the size or scale of a noun. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is often seen as grammatically incorrect due to the redundancy of using both "very" and "enormous" together.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a very enormous" aims to emphasize size, it is generally considered grammatically redundant. As Ludwig AI indicates, using either "very large" or simply "enormous" is more effective. Although examples can be found across various sources, including news and media, it's best to opt for more precise language in formal contexts. Stronger single-word adjectives such as "immense" or "gigantic" offer better alternatives for conveying exceptional size. Therefore, while understandable, "a very enormous" is not the most refined choice for clear and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely large

Replaces 'very enormous' with a more standard synonym for emphasis.

exceptionally huge

Uses 'exceptionally' to intensify 'huge', offering a stronger emphasis.

remarkably big

Employs 'remarkably' to highlight the size as noteworthy.

incredibly vast

Combines 'incredibly' with 'vast' to suggest immensity and scope.

particularly immense

Utilizes 'particularly' to focus attention on the significant scale.

especially sizable

Replaces 'enormous' with 'sizable', modified by 'especially' for emphasis.

quite substantial

Uses 'quite' to amplify 'substantial', indicating a considerable amount.

considerably large

Employs 'considerably' to emphasize the degree of largeness.

appreciably huge

'Appreciably' indicates a noticeable degree of hugeness.

noticeably immense

'Noticeably' suggests the immensity is easily observed or recognized.

FAQs

Is "a very enormous" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used in informal contexts, "a very enormous" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. It's better to use either "very large" or simply "enormous".

What can I say instead of "a very enormous"?

Consider using alternatives like "extremely large", "exceptionally huge", or "remarkably big" to convey a similar meaning with better clarity.

Why is "a very enormous" considered redundant?

The word "enormous" already implies a great size. Adding "very" doesn't increase the magnitude and is therefore unnecessary. Choose one or the other for clearer communication.

In what contexts might "a very enormous" be acceptable?

You might encounter "a very enormous" in casual conversation or informal writing, but it's best to avoid it in formal or professional settings where precision is valued. Opt for a more concise and grammatically standard phrase.