at a major

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a major" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to determine its correctness in written English.
It could be used in contexts discussing a significant event, organization, or field of study, but it needs additional information to be clear. Example: "She is currently interning at a major tech company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you're at a major university, start at a billion dollars.

The New York Times - Magazine

ABOUT a year ago, a top executive at a major fashion retailer was fired.

The New York Times

That's death at a major.

The New York Times

That never happens at a major anymore.

The New York Times

It puts Trump at a major disadvantage.

The Guardian

I became employed at a major corporation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Setting: Outpatient clinical setting at a major university teaching hospital.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The doctor works at a major New York cancer center.

The New York Times - Health

Els could be in for more heartbreak at a major.

The New York Times - Sports

The casino was sold at a major loss in 2011.

The Guardian

Otherwise we are looking at a major health risk".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a major", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being described as 'major'. For example, specify "at a major corporation" or "at a major sporting event" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at a major" without specifying the noun it modifies. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying, "It happened at a major", specify, "It happened at a major conference".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a major" typically functions as a prepositional modifier, providing context about the scale, significance, or type of event, organization, or location being discussed. As Ludwig AI suggests, additional information is needed to provide clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a major" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to emphasize the scale, importance, or prestige associated with an event, organization, or location. It functions as a modifier, adding context and significance to the noun it describes. As Ludwig AI suggests, while grammatically correct and widely used, it often benefits from additional context for clarity. It appears frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While Ludwig considers the phrase to be usable, it still needs additional information to be perfectly clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an important

Uses 'important' instead of 'major', stressing the relevance or value.

in a significant

Replaces 'major' with 'significant', emphasizing the importance or impact.

in a critical

Substitutes 'major' with 'critical', underlining the decisiveness or urgency.

in a substantial

Substitutes 'major' with 'substantial', highlighting the size or degree.

during a key

Replaces 'at a major' with 'during a key', focusing on a pivotal moment or event.

during a prominent

Replaces 'at a major' with 'during a prominent', focusing on the notability of an event.

in a leading

Substitutes 'major' with 'leading', indicating a position of dominance or influence.

at a foremost

Replaces 'major' with 'foremost', stressing the superiority of the event or entity.

in a primary

Uses 'primary' instead of 'major', emphasizing the fundamental or central nature.

during a central

Replaces 'at a major' with 'during a central', focusing on the key role of an event or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "at a major" to describe the setting or scale of an event, company, or institution. For example, "She works "at a major hospital"" or "The conference was held "at a major university"".

What are some alternatives to "at a major"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "at a significant", "at a prominent", or "at a leading depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it correct to say "at major" instead of "at a major"?

No, it is generally incorrect. The indefinite article "a" is required before "major" when referring to a single, unspecified major entity or event. Saying "at major" omits this article and is grammatically incorrect.

What does "at a major" imply in the context of sports?

In sports, "at a major" typically refers to competing in one of the most prestigious championships in a particular sport, such as a Grand Slam tournament in tennis or a major championship in golf. It signifies a high level of competition and importance.