bigger

USAGE SUMMARY

'bigger' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe size, as in "The new car is bigger than the old one." You can also use it when comparing two or more things, as in "She bought the bigger package of paper towels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The study suggests that in 168 marginal seats, the ethnic minority vote is bigger than the majority of the sitting MP.

The Guardian

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Sometimes I get the impression that people are waiting for an accident so that they can really focus [on] avoiding a bigger disaster.

The Guardian - Business

Nobody has a bigger interest in getting them released than I do," Clinton told reporters during a campaign stop in Iowa.

The Guardian

Nine programmers took it off air between 2005 and 2009, but to everyone's surprise it returned as an even bigger hit in 2010.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Welcome to Uzbekistan, a country bigger than Germany, with a population of 31 million, where Islam Karimov is now embarking on a fourth term of office, even though the constitution stipulates a two-term maximum for heads of state.

The Guardian

Opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim scored a bigger than expected victory in a byelection today, boosting his chances of becoming prime minister.

The Guardian

No matter how hard parts of the media have tried to brand her "the greatest threat to the constitution since the abdication crisis" – bigger even than the second world war, apparently – many people still see her on TV and think she looks like a half-decent person and politician.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a later email, another promise is given: "If the needs be I will look into it on a bigger scale eg your salary package".

The Guardian - Business

Durkan could, as Tom Kelly argued earlier this year, find solace in a bigger, more professional club called Fianna Fail, where he can make a comeback in the green, white and gold colours of the Irish Republic's official 'Republican Party'.

The Guardian

"Part of playing in the World Cup should be to spread the good word of the game and again the more teams we can have playing, within reason, in the big competitions, the more exposure it gets in their home nations, and the more exposure they get against the bigger sides".

The Guardian - Sport

Rather disappointingly he chose to be the bigger man and merely cantered past his rival without so much as a sideways look.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two items, ensure clarity by using "than" after "bigger". For example, "This cake is "bigger" than that one."

Common error

While "bigger" is perfectly acceptable, it can sound informal in some contexts. In formal writing, consider using "larger" or "greater" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "bigger" functions primarily as a comparative adjective. It is used to describe something that has a greater size, extent, or degree when compared to something else. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing numerous examples of "bigger" in comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Sport

18%

Business

10%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Opinion

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bigger" functions as a comparative adjective, indicating a greater size or degree compared to something else. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, with a neutral register suitable for most situations. While alternatives like "larger" or "greater" may be preferred in formal contexts, "bigger" remains a common and acceptable choice. The most frequent contexts for "bigger" are News & Media, Sport and Business. Remember to use "than" when comparing two items using "bigger", as in "My car is "bigger" than yours."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

larger

Indicates a greater size or extent, often used interchangeably with "bigger".

greater

Emphasizes a larger degree or amount, particularly in abstract contexts like influence or importance.

more significant

Highlights increased importance or consequence.

more extensive

Suggests a wider scope or reach.

grander

Implies greater impressiveness or scale.

more substantial

Emphasizes greater solidity or importance.

more considerable

Suggests a noteworthy amount or degree.

more pronounced

Highlights a more noticeable or distinct quality.

more impactful

Focuses on a stronger effect or influence.

enhanced

Indicates an improvement in size or quality.

FAQs

How do I use "bigger" in a sentence?

"Bigger" is a comparative adjective, used to indicate that something is larger in size, amount, or degree than something else. For example, "My house is "bigger" than yours."

What can I say instead of "bigger"?

You can use alternatives like "larger", "greater", or "more significant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bigger" or "more big"?

"Bigger" is the correct comparative form of "big". "More big" is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

What's the difference between "bigger" and "larger"?

While "bigger" and "larger" are often interchangeable, "larger" tends to be used in more formal contexts. "Bigger" is generally considered more colloquial.