great storm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great storm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or intense weather event, often implying strong winds, heavy rain, or severe conditions. Example: "The great storm caused widespread damage across the region, uprooting trees and flooding streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The great storm devastated the Jersey Shore.

The New York Times

The great storm is over!

The Guardian - Books

The Great Storm Is Over' 39.

The Guardian - Books

The great storm left another, more positive, legacy.

The Guardian

I felt like there was a rumbling, a great storm beneath him".

Independent

If there is quiet and peace here, it's the calm after a great storm subsides.

The New Yorker

Each year the weather did it more damage – especially the great storm of October 1987.

The Guardian

Dylan calls up a great storm, and sends a huge wave to steal the girls.

The Guardian

Missing a great storm is something the Met office says "just does not happen any more".

The Guardian

SOUTHAMPTON -- "The Great Storm of '38: The Lost Photographs From the Lord Collection".

The New York Times

Back in 1824 a great storm killed 22 people here and destroyed 25 houses.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "great storm", be specific about the type of storm (e.g. hurricane, blizzard, thunderstorm) to provide a clearer picture of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "great storm" as a catch-all phrase for any adverse situation. While it can metaphorically represent turmoil, ensure the context justifies the use of such a strong descriptor. Consider if a more nuanced term would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great storm" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "storm". It describes a weather event of significant intensity or impact. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great storm" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant weather event or a period of turmoil. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it carries a sense of severity and impact. When using "great storm", consider being specific about the type of storm to enhance clarity and avoid overuse as a generic term. Alternatives such as ""severe tempest"" or ""major weather event"" may be more appropriate depending on the context. By understanding the nuances of this phrase, writers can effectively communicate the magnitude and consequences of a "great storm".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe tempest

Replaces "storm" with "tempest" to denote a violent disturbance, while "severe" emphasizes intensity.

major weather event

Uses a broader term, "weather event", and specifies it as "major" to highlight significance.

powerful cyclone

Substitutes "storm" with the more specific term "cyclone" when appropriate, indicating a rotating weather system.

destructive hurricane

Uses "hurricane" to specify a tropical cyclone and "destructive" to emphasize the damage caused.

intense blizzard

Replaces "storm" with "blizzard" to describe a severe snowstorm and "intense" to highlight the strength of the blizzard.

catastrophic deluge

Uses "deluge" to imply an overwhelming flood and "catastrophic" to underline the devastating consequences.

fierce squall

Substitutes "storm" with "squall" to represent a sudden, localized storm and "fierce" to denote its intensity.

violent thunderstorm

Specifies the type of storm as a "thunderstorm" and uses "violent" to underscore its force.

raging gale

Employs "gale" to signify a strong windstorm and "raging" to amplify its intensity.

extreme weather

A general term indicating weather conditions that are significantly different from the average.

FAQs

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

You can use "great storm" to describe a severe weather event, for example: "The "great storm" caused widespread flooding and power outages."

What can I say instead of "great storm"?

Alternatives include "severe tempest", "major weather event", or "powerful cyclone" depending on the specific context and nature of the storm.

Which is correct, "great storm" or "big storm"?

"Great storm" and "big storm" are both acceptable, but ""great storm"" often implies a storm of historical significance or unusual intensity, while "big storm" is more general.

Is "great storm" used only for weather events?

While commonly used for weather events, ""great storm"" can also be used metaphorically to describe a period of intense difficulty or upheaval, such as a "great storm" of controversy.