as great a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as great a" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare the degree or extent of something, often in a context where you are emphasizing equality or similarity in greatness. Example: "She has as great a talent for music as her brother does for painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To call dance fun is nearly as great a sin.

The New York Times - Arts

May I be as great a grandfather as Gus was to me".

Independent

Luck, Mr. Budi says, plays as great a role as preparation in swiftlet farming.

The New York Times

Going from being a teacher to curator isn't as great a leap as it seems.

The New York Times

Is the ArcelorMittal steel company, one wonders, as great a cause to be celebrated as liberty?

The Guardian - Opinion

"But no one has as great a need as we do in terms of dollars".

The New York Times

Few months took as great a toll as July 1999, when 17 residents died.

The New York Times

Biggest disappointment The final was not quite as great a let-down as Fabio Capello.

The Guardian - Sport

Who will be as good a friend and as great a guy?

The New York Times

Doing a Mamet play well can be almost as great a challenge as doing Shakespeare.

The New York Times

To be sure, luck plays as great a role as skill in investment results.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as great a", ensure that you are making a clear comparison. The phrase is most effective when it directly contrasts two similar entities or ideas to highlight their relative greatness. For example: "He is as great a leader as she is a scientist".

Common error

Avoid using "as great a" without completing the comparison. For instance, saying "It was as great a performance" is incomplete. Instead, specify what it is being compared to, such as "It was as great a performance as any seen that year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as great a" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It introduces a comparison, indicating that something possesses a quality or attribute to the same degree as something else. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples illustrating comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as great a" is a commonly used comparative phrase that establishes equivalence or similarity in terms of quality, magnitude, or importance. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a comparative adjective phrase, most frequently appearing in news and media contexts. To maximize clarity and avoid errors, ensure that the comparison is fully articulated. Replace it with alternatives like "so great a", "as significant a" or "as considerable a" as needed for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so great a

Emphasizes intensity or degree, often used for rhetorical effect.

as significant a

Focuses on importance or consequence rather than sheer size.

as considerable a

Highlights the substantial nature or amount of something.

as remarkable a

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy quality.

as impressive a

Stresses the ability to evoke admiration or respect.

as large a

Focuses on the physical size or extent.

as huge a

Emphasizes very large size or scale.

as vast a

Highlights the immense scale or extent.

as profound a

Focuses on the depth or intensity of impact.

as critical a

Emphasizes the essential or decisive nature.

FAQs

How can I use "as great a" in a sentence?

The phrase "as great a" is used to make comparisons. For example, you could say, "She is "as great a singer" as her mother was".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as great a"?

You can use alternatives like "so great a", "as significant a", or "as considerable a" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as great a" and "so great a"?

"As great a" is typically used in affirmative comparisons, while "so great a" often appears in clauses expressing result or consequence. For example: "He had as great a talent as anyone I knew" versus "His talent was so great a surprise to everyone".

When is it appropriate to use "as great a" instead of "as big a" or "as large a"?

Use "as great a" when referring to the quality, importance, or impact of something, not just its physical size. "As big a" or "as large a" are more suitable when describing physical dimensions.