great latitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great latitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a wide range of freedom or flexibility in making decisions or taking actions. Example: "The manager gave her team great latitude in how they approached the project, allowing for creativity and innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It gives the player very great latitude".

The Guardian - Music

But generally, courts give local administrators great latitude.

The New York Times

Individual American politicians have great latitude to propose new laws.

The Economist

Why does the president have "great latitude" in declaring disasters?

The New York Times

Congress has great latitude to hold oversight hearings.

The Washington Post

"But it gives great latitude in determining what is a politically related expense".

The New York Times

Employees are given great latitude to resolve problems and can even bend hotel rules, if necessary.

Harvard Business Review

In sharp contrast with the corrections department, the State Police have great latitude in disciplinary matters.

The New York Times

The disaster relief law is vague on how it should be applied, so presidents have great latitude.

The New York Times

The Check21 law passed in 2004 gave banks great latitude in migrating from shipping and retaining cheques to transferring scans.

The Economist

Google needs to give great latitude to programmers as a way of "keeping credibility with the people who make extensions".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase 'great latitude', ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of substantial freedom or flexibility. Avoid using it in contexts where the freedom is minimal or non-existent.

Common error

Avoid using "great latitude" when the context implies only slight or limited flexibility. Misusing the phrase can overstate the level of autonomy and lead to miscommunication about the true constraints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great latitude" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It signifies a substantial degree of freedom or flexibility granted to someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great latitude" is a noun phrase widely used to express a significant degree of freedom or flexibility. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's essential to ensure its use aligns with the intended meaning of substantial freedom, avoiding contexts where flexibility is minimal. Alternatives include "considerable freedom" or "significant flexibility". The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post underscores its acceptance and utility in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appreciable latitude

Emphasizes the noticeable amount of freedom.

marked flexibility

Highlights distinct adaptability and ease of modification.

significant flexibility

Highlights adaptability and ease of modification.

considerable freedom

Emphasizes the extent of liberty granted.

extensive discretion

Emphasizes the power to make decisions autonomously.

substantial leeway

Highlights the amount of allowable deviation from a norm.

wide berth

Suggests a significant margin of safety or freedom of movement.

broad authorization

Focuses on the expansive permissions granted.

ample scope

Focuses on the broad range of opportunities or possibilities.

generous allowance

Highlights the permissive nature of the freedom granted.

FAQs

How can I use "great latitude" in a sentence?

You can use "great latitude" to describe situations where someone has significant freedom or flexibility. For example, "The project manager gave the team "great latitude" in choosing their approach".

What are some alternatives to "great latitude"?

Alternatives include "considerable freedom", "significant flexibility", or "substantial leeway". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a great latitude" or "great latitude"?

"Great latitude" is generally used without the article "a" because "latitude" in this context refers to a general concept of freedom or flexibility, not a countable object. So, "great latitude" is the correct form.

What is the difference between "great latitude" and "discretion"?

"Great latitude" implies a broad scope of freedom or flexibility in action or decision-making, while "discretion" emphasizes the power to make decisions based on one's own judgment. "Great latitude" suggests the extent of freedom, while "discretion" highlights the authority to choose.