big layer of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big layer of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a substantial thickness or extent of a particular material or substance. Example: "There was a big layer of dust covering the old furniture in the attic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

You then connect this big layer of neurons to another big layer of neurons above it, say a few thousand, and these in turn to another layer of another few thousand neurons, and so on for a few layers.

MIT Technology Review

Today the kids from CGHS helped us clear out the back of the greenspace to put in 6 arborvitaes and a big layer of mulch.

Yale University

"There is a big layer of people in Iran who favor changes more radical than they would have two years ago," he said as he drove us through thinning evening traffic.

The New Yorker

After crunching through a big layer of fennel and arugula, which are both strong and dry, you reach the juicy, sweet watermelon, which has soaked up some of the herbal vinaigrette.

The New York Times - Food

The Swiss authorities, which also face the problem of giant banks based in a medium-sized country, recently rejected structural reform of Credit Suisse and UBS in favour of a big layer of "contingent capital" on top of the Basel 3 regime (see article).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Then you put a bigger layer of intelligence and it became machine learning.

Forbes

"I think when financial deception does go on, it [points to] a bigger layer of deception underneath".

Huffington Post

But that big top layer of retail speculation fueling silver is a relatively much, much smaller layer in oil's "cake" and slicing the thicker layers of investment interest in crude will require a much, much bigger knife.

Huffington Post

7. (3:44) Complications #1 — Big, layered sound.

Stanford University

Scene girls have very big, layered hair.

WikiHow

I especially like the Big Kalowsky (layers of warm roast beef and melted Swiss cheese with A.1. steak sauce on a sesame-seeded, garlic wedge).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical materials, consider the most relevant dimension (thickness, area, volume) to choose a more precise adjective than "big". For example, use "thick layer" for depth, "large layer" for area, or "substantial layer" to emphasize quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "big" generically when a more specific adjective better conveys the intended meaning. Instead of "big layer", opt for descriptors like "thick", "wide", or "deep" to provide a clearer picture to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big layer of" typically functions as a modifier within a noun phrase, describing the size or extent of a layer. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. It usually introduces or precedes a noun, providing context to its measurement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "big layer of" is a grammatically sound way to describe a substantial stratum, but its generality might warrant more descriptive alternatives depending on the context. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, but considering synonyms like "thick", "large", or "substantial" can enhance precision. Predominantly found in News & Media, and less frequent in more formal settings, choosing a descriptive alternative is key to clear communication. Remember to replace "big" with a more descriptive and appropriate adjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thick layer of

Replaces "big" with "thick", emphasizing the depth or density of the layer.

large layer of

Substitutes "big" with "large", focusing on the extent or area covered by the layer.

substantial layer of

Replaces "big" with "substantial", highlighting the significance or amount of the layer.

considerable layer of

Similar to "substantial layer of", but with a slightly more formal tone.

extensive layer of

Emphasizes the broad coverage or reach of the layer.

massive layer of

Uses "massive" to stress the impressive size or scale of the layer.

significant layer of

Highlights the importance or impact of the layer.

broad layer of

Focuses on the width or expanse of the layer.

deep layer of

Highlights the vertical dimension or depth of the layer.

imposing layer of

Suggests the layer is grand or impressive in appearance.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "big layer of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "thick layer of", "large layer of", or "substantial layer of".

How does the meaning change if I use "thick" instead of "big" in "big layer of"?

Using "thick layer of" emphasizes the depth or density of the layer, while ""big layer of"" generally refers to its overall size or extent.

Is it grammatically correct to say "big layer of"?

Yes, ""big layer of"" is grammatically correct, but consider whether a more descriptive adjective might be more appropriate for your specific context.

In what situations is ""big layer of"" most appropriate?

""Big layer of"" is suitable when you want to generally emphasize the size of something, but for greater precision, consider adjectives like "thick", "wide", or "extensive".