great moats

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great moats" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to large, deep ditches or water-filled barriers, often associated with castles or fortifications. Example: "The ancient castle was surrounded by great moats, providing an additional layer of defense against invaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Great moats.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The great moat that protects us, and it is only temporary, is lack of broadband access," Mr. Valenti said.

The New York Times - Tech

He completed and extended fortifications begun by his father, built a great moat and a new outer defense wall, paved the ceremonial Processional Way with limestone, rebuilt and embellished the principal temples, and cut canals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A dish washing liquid bottle cut into two can make a great moat around the castle.

WikiHow

The United States has two great ocean moats, weak and friendly neighbors, and the world's most potent arsenal of nuclear weapons, which threatens annihilation of the territory of any potential attacker.

Huffington Post

("And make it a real big moat").

The New York Times

Other big moat stocks include Altria Group, Philip Morris International and Coca-Cola.

Forbes

(Lagos was in fact founded by a Benin army and continued to pay tribute to the oba of Benin until the end of the 19th century.) Ewuare also rebuilt the capital (present-day Benin City), endowing it with great walls and moats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just think, a state ready-made with its own natural moats; great for privacy, boaters and keeping unsympathetic neighbors like New York City and Albany at bay. "Politically and socially, being our own state would put us in control of our destiny rather than being the stepchild of the rest of the state," Mr. Sawicki said.

The New York Times

The city was surrounded by a great stone wall and moat, the ruins of which survive, but little excavation has been done in the interior.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gates fires back, saying that Microsoft is undeterred: "Well, technology companies do for a period get in these wonderful positions and, you know, it's great that there's somebody willing to attack those moats.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical fortifications, consider specifying the dimensions or purpose of the "great moats" to provide more context and vivid imagery.

Common error

Avoid using "great moats" loosely as a metaphor for any type of protection or defense. Reserve it for situations where the scale and imposing nature of a physical barrier are relevant to the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great moats" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. "Great" modifies the noun "moats", emphasizing their size, depth, or overall impressiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, often describing historical fortifications.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great moats" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe impressive defensive water barriers. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English, particularly in historical or descriptive contexts. While the phrase itself is straightforward, consider the subtle differences in emphasis when choosing alternatives like "large moats" or "imposing moats". Avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts, and ensure the scale and nature of the real-world example are relevant to the comparison. Ludwig can assist you in finding relevant examples and ensuring proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large moats

Focuses on the size of the moats.

extensive moats

Highlights the broad reach or scale of the moats.

imposing moats

Emphasizes the impressive or formidable nature of the moats.

vast moats

Stresses the immense size of the moats.

substantial moats

Indicates the significant size and importance of the moats.

deep moats

Highlights the depth of the moats as a defensive feature.

wide moats

Focuses on the breadth of the moats.

formidable defenses

Shifts focus to the overall defensive capability implied by the moats.

significant fortifications

Broadens the context to any substantial protective structure including moats.

impressive barriers

Emphasizes the overall impact and scale of the defensive barriers.

FAQs

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

You can use "great moats" to describe the impressive defensive structures surrounding a castle or fortification. For example, "The castle was protected by "great moats" and towering walls."

What are some alternatives to saying "great moats"?

Alternatives include "large moats", "extensive moats", or "imposing moats", depending on which aspect you want to emphasize. Each alternative provides a slightly different nuance to the description.

Is it correct to use "great moats" in a metaphorical sense?

While possible, using "great moats" metaphorically should be done carefully. It's best suited when the protection being described is substantial and imposing, similar to the physical barriers the phrase originally describes. Consider alternative metaphors if this isn't the case.

What makes moats "great"?

The "greatness" of moats can refer to their size, depth, width, or overall effectiveness as a defensive feature. It suggests that they are particularly impressive or significant.