a very great thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very great thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the significance or importance of something in a positive context. Example: "Winning the award was a very great thing for her career and personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is a very great thing".

The Guardian

Originally, I thought that that's not a very great thing – the Fifties is what we all try and get away from.

Independent

One of Mr. Christie's friends and sponsors, Dena Kaye, said that "to fill his garden with his music is a very great thing; this is monumental for him".

The New York Times

For the Hitchcock films suggested that sex was a very great thing, worth waiting for, and all the more awesome on account of our extended longing.

The New York Times

Even at the best of times, words don't feel like a very great thing to be good at: not compared with, say, being Jonas Kaufmann and singing the lead in Andrea Chénier.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The 18-year-old from Stockport appears destined for very great things while his twin brother, Michael, has carved himself out a niche at right-back.

Independent

"Once we determine how the jellyfish rejuvenates itself, we should achieve very great things.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yes, they were on holiday, and yes, they were very drunk, which are undoubtedly two very great things.

Vice

Pop culture implications aside, Blenner is now finding out firsthand what bread- and booze-makers have known for millennia; that yeasts are capricious little fungi, but capable of very great things.

Vice

It was "a once in a lifetime thing" and a "very great honor" to be there, Victor Vogel was saying last week.

The New York Times

When he arrived in Norway and gave the locals a long lecture on tractor production in faltering Norwegian, a local commented that you have to be a very great man to say such foolish things.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very great thing" to express strong approval or emphasize the positive impact of something. It's most effective when you want to convey genuine admiration or appreciation.

Common error

While "a very great thing" is acceptable, be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "a truly significant achievement" or "an exceptionally important event" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very great thing" functions as a subjective assessment, emphasizing the positive qualities of a particular noun. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its function is to convey strong approval or importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very great thing" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey strong approval or highlight the significance of something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct. While common in news and media, and acceptable in formal settings with mindful usage, "a very great thing" is especially effective when expressing genuine admiration or appreciation in common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a truly remarkable matter

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the matter, highlighting its distinction.

an exceptionally important event

Focuses on the importance of the event, underlining its significance.

a remarkably significant achievement

Highlights the importance of the achievement and its positive impact.

an extraordinarily meaningful experience

Stresses the depth and personal value of the experience.

a profoundly impactful development

Emphasizes the significant effect and widespread consequences of the development.

a supremely valuable asset

Highlights the immense worth and usefulness of the asset.

a monumentally important issue

Stresses the critical nature and far-reaching consequences of the issue.

a considerably substantial undertaking

Emphasizes the significant scale and ambition of the undertaking.

a remarkably influential factor

Highlights the extent to which the factor exerts power and effect.

a genuinely worthwhile endeavor

Emphasizes the authentic value and positive outcomes of the endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "a very great thing" in a sentence?

Use "a very great thing" to express that something is remarkably positive or important. For instance, "Achieving this milestone is "a very great thing" for our team".

What are some alternatives to saying "a very great thing"?

You can use alternatives like "an exceptionally important event", "a truly significant achievement", or "a remarkably influential factor" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a very great thing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a very great thing" might sound less formal. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "a truly significant achievement" or "an exceptionally important event" for formal contexts.

How does the meaning of "a very great thing" differ from "a good thing"?

"A very great thing" implies a higher degree of positivity and significance compared to simply "a good thing". It emphasizes that something is not just positive, but also remarkably important or impactful.