big enough to carry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big enough to carry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an object or container that has sufficient size or capacity to hold or transport something else. Example: "The backpack is big enough to carry all of my books and supplies for school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is big enough to carry about 12 people.

The New York Times - Sports

The movie is big enough to carry these claims.

The Guardian

'Her engine is big enough to carry her load.

The Guardian - Sport

It took time to find a car big enough to carry them all.

The New York Times

Part carnivorous plant, part Basque wine bag, this blossomlike purse is just big enough to carry your essentials to shows.

The New York Times

It's big enough to carry your BlackBerry and Kindle but not so big that you lose your lipstick in it.

The New York Times

That bag fits on overhead racks, but it's big enough to carry clothes for four or even five nights away.

Harvard Business Review

A tiny boy requests a balloon from a clown, who inflates one big enough to carry him into the sky.

The New York Times

Last year it chartered a ship big enough to carry 3,000 on the Caribbean.One reason for the rise in luxury nudist travel is that customers are ageing.

The Economist

No previous Labour prime minister has been re-elected with a majority big enough to carry him through a full second term.

The Economist

With 16 rotors, it looks like a scaled up version of some flying toys, although one that is big enough to carry an adult.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "big enough to carry", ensure that the object being carried is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The bag is big enough to carry", specify "The bag is big enough to carry groceries".

Common error

Avoid using "big enough to carry" without specifying the context. Saying "It's big enough to carry" leaves the reader wondering what exactly it's supposed to carry. Always provide context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big enough to carry" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something possesses adequate size or capacity for a specific purpose, namely, to carry something else. Ludwig shows it's frequently used to describe the suitability of an object for transportation or containment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "big enough to carry" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something with sufficient size or capacity for a particular purpose. According to Ludwig, it's mostly used in news and media contexts, although it can be used in different contexts as well. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to ensure clarity, and consider alternatives like "sufficiently large to transport" for a more formal tone. The phrase is versatile and widely understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing adequate size or capacity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently large to transport

Replaces "big enough" with "sufficiently large" maintaining the idea of adequate size for transportation.

large enough to hold

Substitutes "carry" with "hold", emphasizing the capacity to contain something.

spacious enough for transporting

Uses "spacious" to highlight ample room, adding "for transporting" to clarify the purpose.

capable of transporting

Focuses on the ability to transport, replacing the size element with capability.

has the capacity to carry

Emphasizes the capacity or ability to carry, rather than the size itself.

of sufficient size to transport

Formal rephrasing, highlighting the adequacy of size for transportation.

roomy enough to accommodate

Emphasizes the presence of sufficient room and replaces carry with accommodate.

ample space for carrying

Highlights the availability of ample space specifically for carrying.

sized to transport

Shortened version focusing on size intended for transport purposes.

with enough capacity for transport

Focuses on the overall capacity available for transport.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "big enough to carry" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives like "sufficiently large to transport", "of sufficient size to transport", or "has the capacity to carry" depending on the context.

What's a simpler way to say "big enough to carry"?

Simpler alternatives include "large enough to hold" or "capable of transporting".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "big enough to carry"?

The phrase "big enough to carry" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from describing physical objects like bags and vehicles, to abstract concepts like ideas or burdens. The key is whether something needs to accommodate or support something else.

Is there a difference between "big enough to carry" and "large enough to carry"?

The difference between "big enough to carry" and "large enough to carry" is negligible. Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning, though "large enough to carry" might be considered slightly more formal in some contexts.