big enough to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big enough to make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a size or capacity that is sufficient to create or produce something. Example: "The box is big enough to make a comfortable bed for the dog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Big enough to make a difference.

The New Yorker

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Big enough to make a difference.

The New Yorker

"It was big enough to make a difference," Paulson says.

The New Yorker

He was big enough to make his own decision.

The New York Times - Sports

No single short seller was big enough to make it happen.

The Economist

"We wouldn't have had a space big enough to make the idea compelling.

The New York Times

Larger funds, meanwhile, may struggle to find opportunities big enough to make a difference.

The New York Times

The sums are big enough to make a difference, but not to upset the apple cart.

The Economist

But they are big enough to make a splash on arrival abroad (see article).

The Economist

But some of the offending clubs are big enough to make an alteration for the better.

The Guardian - Sport

They're too small to be dramatic, but just big enough to make a quiet splash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “big enough to make” when you want to emphasize that something's size or scale enables a specific result or creation. For instance, "The investment was big enough to make a real difference to the project."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "big" in your writing. Vary your descriptions by using more precise synonyms like "substantial", "significant", or "ample" to provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of the scale or impact you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big enough to make" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun by describing its size or capacity as sufficient for a particular action or result. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "big enough to make" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is of sufficient size or magnitude to achieve a specific result. According to Ludwig, its versatility makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Formal & Business. While "big" is a fairly generic term, the phrase's overall meaning is clear and widely understood. As demonstrated by the numerous examples found by Ludwig, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing sufficiency and capability in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient to create

Replaces the idiomatic "big enough" with a more formal synonym, altering the tone slightly.

ample to produce

Uses "ample" in place of "big enough", offering a slightly more sophisticated vocabulary.

large enough for creating

Changes the infinitive to a gerund, which slightly alters the sentence structure.

significant enough to generate

Replaces "big" with "significant" and "make" with "generate", suggesting a more impactful outcome.

adequate for production

Uses "adequate" instead of "big" and "production" instead of "make", shifting the focus to manufacturing.

sizable enough to yield

Swaps "big" for "sizable" and "make" for "yield", indicating a result or output.

capable of forming

Employs "capable" to indicate ability, and "forming" for creation, modifying the verb choice.

extensive enough to cause

Shifts the outcome from creation to causation, changing the verb and its implication.

substantial enough for construction

Substitutes "big" with "substantial" and "make" with "construction", changing the emphasis to building something.

powerful enough to effect

Emphasizes power rather than size, and uses "effect" in place of "make", altering the connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "big enough to make" in a sentence?

You can use "big enough to make" to indicate that something is of sufficient size or magnitude to produce a particular outcome. For example, "The donation was "large enough to make" a significant impact on the community."

What are some alternatives to "big enough to make"?

Alternatives include "sufficient to create", "large enough for creating", or "adequate for production", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "big enough to make" or "large enough to make"?

Both "big enough to make" and "large enough to make" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference. "Big" is generally more informal, while "large" is slightly more formal. For example: "The quantity was "large enough to make" a positive difference."

What's the difference between "big enough to make" and "significant enough to make"?

"Big enough to make" emphasizes size or scale, while "significant enough to make" highlights importance or impact. Choose the phrase that best reflects the aspect you want to emphasize. An example of "significant enough to make" is: "The evidence was "compelling enough to sway" the jury's decision."