bigger than normal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bigger than normal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that exceeds the usual size or dimensions, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new smartphone model is bigger than normal, making it more difficult to fit in a pocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

From the video film, Austin recognized some of the most noticeable invertebrates and noted that a few species more regularly occurring between high-tide and low-tide marks and shallow environments were found deeper than might normally be expected, and were bigger than normal.

Wikipedia

I only thought, "This is bigger than normal".

The New York Times

"He has a 'hot spot' that's bigger than normal," Coach BYRON SCOTT said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's real — a sweet gum tree pod — just much, much bigger than normal.

The New York Times

Instead of icons, Microsoft has "tiles," which are actively updated and bigger than normal icons.

The New York Times - Tech

For commonly used stimulation amplitudes, artifact phase deflections correspond to signals several times bigger than normal brain signal.

NeuroImage

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Bigger-than normal changes have persisted since, though they haven't been quite as drastic.

The New York Times

But, based on price/book value and price/sales ratios, small stocks trade at a slightly bigger-than-normal discount to big stocks.

Forbes

Booksellers have been discounting the book heavily, which also probably helped sales; last weekend Borders Stores was selling the book at 40percentt off the $25.95 cover price, a bigger-than-normal discount for new titles.

The New York Times

Republicans entered this fight convinced, at least for public consumption, that they know how it will play out: with an end to Mr. Obama's mandate and a bigger-than-normal loss for the incumbent party in the midterms.

The New York Times - Health

Economist Tim Bartik, who tracks state incentive packages at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, said his data shows that Wisconsin offered incentives 12 times as high as the national average, while New York maintained its usual course of bigger-than-normal subsidies and Virginia clinched a significantly cheaper deal than states often do.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bigger than normal" to describe a noticeable increase in size, amount, or intensity compared to a standard reference point. For instance, "The crowds were bigger than normal this year."

Common error

Ensure the context clearly defines what is considered "normal". Without a clear reference, "bigger than normal" becomes vague. Specify the baseline for comparison to maintain clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bigger than normal" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that it exceeds the typical or expected size. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bigger than normal" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, used to describe something that exceeds the usual or expected size. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used. While versatile, ensure that the context provides a clear reference point for what is considered "normal" to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like ""larger than usual"" or ""greater than average"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

larger than usual

Emphasizes the size difference compared to what is commonly seen.

greater than average

Focuses on exceeding the statistical average or standard.

above average size

Highlights the size being superior to the typical measurement.

more substantial than expected

Indicates a surprising increase in size or significance.

outsized

A single-word adjective indicating something is excessively large.

over-sized

A hyphenated adjective indicating a larger than normal size.

amplified beyond the norm

Suggests a considerable increase in size or intensity, deviating from the normal state.

unusually large

Focuses on the atypical nature of the size.

considerably larger

Highlights a significant difference in size.

extra large

A common term to indicate something is beyond the standard dimensions.

FAQs

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

You can use "bigger than normal" to describe something that exceeds the usual size or dimensions. For example, "The new smartphone model is "bigger than normal", making it more difficult to fit in a pocket."

What are some alternatives to "bigger than normal"?

You can use alternatives like "larger than usual", "greater than average", or "unusually large" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more big than normal" instead of "bigger than normal"?

While "more big than normal" might be understood, it's not grammatically correct. "Bigger" is the comparative form of "big", so ""bigger than normal"" is the correct usage.

When is it appropriate to use "larger than normal" instead of "bigger than normal"?

"Bigger" and "larger" are often interchangeable, but "bigger" tends to be used for volume, while "larger" is used for surface area. While you can use larger than normal when comparing surface area, ""bigger than normal"" is generally acceptable in most contexts.