bigger than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bigger than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the size or magnitude of one thing to another. Example: "This elephant is bigger than the one we saw at the zoo last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bigger than Amazon, bigger than Exxon and bigger than Apple.

Forbes

"None bigger than tonight".

The New York Times - Sports

Even bigger than that.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're bigger than Dallas.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's bigger than wildlife.

The New Yorker

It's bigger than that".

The New York Times - Magazine

Even bigger than before.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even bigger than Bush.

University of California, Berkeley

This is bigger than football.

The New York Times

"This is bigger than that".

The New York Times

It was bigger than them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bigger than" to create emphasis and comparison to highlight the difference of two entities. This can create a vivid image in the reader's mind. For example, "The problem is "bigger than" we initially thought".

Common error

Avoid using "bigger than" in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise term like "larger than" or "greater than" might be more appropriate. "Bigger than" can sometimes be perceived as too informal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bigger than" serves as a comparative, indicating that one entity possesses a greater size, magnitude, or significance compared to another. It functions to establish a relationship of inequality between two subjects, as evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

22%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Sports

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bigger than" is a versatile comparative used to express that one thing exceeds another in size, scope, or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "larger than" and "greater than" exist, "bigger than" offers a more informal tone suitable for general discussions. When writing, be mindful of your audience and use it to create emphasis, but avoid it in extremely formal or technical contexts. The phrase serves as a clear and effective way to highlight the scale or significance of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

larger than

Focuses specifically on physical size or extent.

greater than

Emphasizes a difference in quantity, degree, or amount.

more significant than

Highlights the relative importance or consequence.

superior to

Suggests a higher quality or rank.

exceeds

Indicates surpassing a certain limit or expectation.

outweighs

Focuses on a greater influence or impact.

surpasses

Implies exceeding in achievement or quality.

is more extensive than

Highlights a wider scope or coverage.

towers over

Implies a significant difference in height or dominance.

dwarfs

Suggests making something seem small by comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "bigger than" in a sentence?

Use "bigger than" to compare the size, magnitude, or importance of two things. For example, "The challenge is "bigger than we expected"" or "Her dreams are "bigger than her fears"".

What are some alternatives to "bigger than"?

Some alternatives include "larger than", "greater than", "more significant than", or "more important than", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "bigger than"?

While generally acceptable, using "bigger than" might be less suitable in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise or sophisticated term would be preferred. In casual conversation, it is perfectly fine.

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

While similar, "larger than" typically refers more specifically to physical size or extent, while "bigger than" can encompass size, magnitude, importance, or impact. Consider using "larger than" when describing physical dimensions and "bigger than" for abstract concepts.