great of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great of him" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in informal contexts to express appreciation for someone's actions or character, but it is better to use more conventional phrases. Example: "It was really great of him to help me with my project at the last minute."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It was great of him to get up and running straight away, it puts us on the front foot".

BBC

"A lot of people still do not see that side of things so it's great of him to speak out," Ward said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm great friend of him.

The New York Times - Sports

The article appeared with a great picture of him.

The Guardian

"My parents took great care of him, but they babied him," she said.

The New York Times

We were expecting a great deal of him tonight and he's delivered".

Independent

"My children thought a great deal of him, as we all did".

The New Yorker

There was a great chance of him bleeding out at the scene.

The New York Times

Well, they haven't looked to be in such great need of him after all.

Independent

Mortensen not only trod Freud's Viennese path, but read a great deal of him.

The Guardian - Books

There was a great picture of him being served in The Boston Globe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "great of him" is understandable, opt for alternatives like "kind of him" or "generous of him" in formal writing to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid relying on "great of him" in academic papers or business correspondence. The phrase may come across as too informal or colloquial, diminishing the impact of your message. Consider using stronger and more precise vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great of him" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, expressing appreciation or commendation. As noted by Ludwig, the expression may be viewed as informal. It modifies an implied action or quality attributed to the person being referenced.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great of him" is an expression used to convey appreciation for someone's actions. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, its usage may be considered informal, and more polished alternatives like "kind of him" or "generous of him" are often preferable, especially in formal writing. While understandable, opting for these alternatives can enhance clarity and professionalism. The existing examples come primarily from News & Media sources, suggesting it may be more common in journalistic or less formal contexts. Therefore, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use "great of him" or a more refined substitute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of him

Replaces "great" with "kind" to soften the tone and focus on the person's benevolent nature.

generous of him

Substitutes "great" with "generous" to emphasize the person's willingness to give or share.

thoughtful of him

Highlights the person's consideration for others, rather than the magnitude of the action.

considerate of him

Similar to "thoughtful", but with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing awareness of others' needs.

good of him

A more general expression of approval, suitable for a wider range of situations.

gracious of him

Implies a level of elegance or refinement in the person's actions.

decent of him

Highlights the person's adherence to moral standards and ethical behavior.

benevolent of him

Focuses on the person's goodwill and desire to do good for others.

magnanimous of him

Suggests the person displayed a noble and forgiving spirit.

admirable of him

Emphasizes the praiseworthy and commendable nature of the person's actions.

FAQs

What does "great of him" mean?

The phrase "great of him" expresses appreciation or admiration for someone's action, implying it was kind, generous, or commendable. It suggests the person went above and beyond what was expected.

How can I use "great of him" in a sentence?

You might say, "It was "great of him" to offer his assistance with the project." Note that, as Ludwig AI suggests, alternatives such as "kind" or "generous" might be preferable in certain contexts.

What can I say instead of "great of him"?

You can use alternatives like "kind of him", "generous of him", or "thoughtful of him" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "great of him" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "great of him" is less common in formal English. Ludwig AI identifies it as acceptable, but indicates that more conventional phrases might be preferable. Consider kind of him or generous of him for a more polished tone.