great scheme of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great scheme of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the larger context or overall perspective of a situation, often implying that individual events or issues are minor in comparison. Example: "While losing this game is disappointing, in the great scheme of things, it won't affect our season's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the great scheme of things this may not, as Owl would say, have been a Bad Thing for the Europeans, for beware the wounded bull.

The Guardian - Sport

"In the great scheme of things, that's nothing.

The New York Times

So does it really matter, in the great scheme of things, whether your driver is female?

The Guardian - Opinion

In the great scheme of things, £13bn isn't necessarily extravagant - it's about 2% of public spending.

The Guardian - Tech

In the great scheme of things, I suppose it doesn't matter too much.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some will say it doesn't matter, or that it's a minor issue in the great scheme of things.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is a very good advocate," concedes a fellow QC. "In the great scheme of things, he's a Good Thing.

The Guardian

The webcam is an accessory that tends to get lost in a computer's great scheme of things.

The New York Times

It's a tiny amount in the great scheme of things but it's the only public support given to writers.

The Guardian - Books

"In the great scheme of things, the Internet bubble, by Silicon Valley standards, is a thing of the past.

The New York Times

"It's only a ninety-minute flight," I said, suggesting that in the great scheme of things it wasn't that long to be separated from your husband.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great scheme of things" to provide context when evaluating the importance of individual events. It's helpful in de-escalating emotional reactions by highlighting the relative unimportance of small setbacks.

Common error

While "great scheme of things" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Overuse can make your speech sound pretentious or detached.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great scheme of things" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement by placing it within a broader context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used to suggest that something is not as significant as it initially seems when considered in relation to everything else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great scheme of things" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to contextualize events and diminish their perceived importance by viewing them within a broader, more objective framework. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely employed, particularly in news and media. While it can be suitable for both formal and informal situations, it is important to avoid overuse to prevent sounding pretentious. Alternatives such as "bigger picture" or "larger context" may be useful in certain scenarios. Its frequent use in authoritative sources highlights its accepted place in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bigger picture

Focuses on the overall context, often used to simplify or provide a more general view.

larger context

Highlights the surrounding circumstances or environment that provide a more complete understanding.

grand design

Implies a deliberate plan or purpose behind events, often with a more positive or intentional connotation.

overall perspective

Emphasizes a comprehensive viewpoint, considering all aspects of a situation.

general context

Similar to larger context but emphasizes the broad understanding of the situation.

broader perspective

Highlights viewing something from a wider angle, considering more factors.

cosmic perspective

Places events in the context of the universe, emphasizing their relative insignificance.

long-term view

Focuses on the effects of events over a prolonged period, rather than immediate consequences.

global view

Implies considering something from an international or worldwide standpoint.

holistic view

Highlights seeing the whole picture and connections of individual events.

FAQs

How can I use "great scheme of things" in a sentence?

You can use "great scheme of things" to emphasize that something is not as important as it seems when considering the bigger picture. For example, "In the "great scheme of things", a missed deadline is not the end of the world."

What does "great scheme of things" mean?

"Great scheme of things" refers to the overall context, importance, or perspective of a situation. It's used to suggest that something is not as significant as it may initially appear when considering everything else.

Which phrases are similar to "great scheme of things"?

Alternatives to "great scheme of things" include "bigger picture", "larger context", or "overall perspective". These phrases all emphasize looking beyond the immediate details.

Is "great scheme of things" a formal or informal expression?

"Great scheme of things" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in written and spoken discourse that aims to provide a broader perspective. It is often used in news media and opinion pieces.