great than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great than" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "greater than"? You can use "greater than" in mathematical contexts or when comparing quantities, sizes, or values. Example: "In this equation, the value of x must be greater than 5 for the solution to be valid."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Inequality, bigotries and twitchiness make Britain look and feel less great than it could be.

Independent

When I entered parliament, the power of parliament was far great than that of the press".

The Guardian

The moral advantages of such a holiday are scarcely less great than the physical.

The Guardian

Most constitutions that allow for referendums require a threshold majority much great than 52%.

The Guardian

(Others research, however, suggests that their effect on Haredis, for example, is less great than was once thought).

The New York Times

The world has more wines trying to be great than it can choke down in a lifetime.

The New York Times - Food

A Britain less great than it is would go against the very logic of those who want an exit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes it's a divide that seems no less great than the one we've witnessed for way too many years now.

The New York Times

I'd argue that the contradictions between these two agendas are less great than they seem, and that Cameron is serious about both.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sidney owned ten percent of me at the time and we faced no tragedy great than a hold-down order from Jack Wheeler.

The New York Times

Joan of Arc "has been recreated by more writers who can readily be called great than any other figure: Shakespeare, Voltaire, Schiller, De Quincey, Twain, Brecht, Shaw".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "greater than" instead of "great than" in formal writing to ensure grammatical accuracy. This applies to both mathematical contexts and general comparisons.

Common error

Avoid substituting "greater than" with "great than". "Great" is an adjective meaning impressive or significant, while "greater" is the comparative form of "great" and is used to indicate a larger quantity or degree. Remembering this distinction will help prevent this common error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great than" functions incorrectly as a comparative. The correct form, "greater than", is used to compare two quantities or values, indicating that one is larger or of higher degree than the other. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great than" is a grammatical error and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. The correct phrase is "greater than", which is used to compare quantities or values. Despite its frequent occurrence, "great than" is incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this issue, indicating the importance of using the correct form. When expressing comparison, always opt for "greater than", or consider alternatives like "more than" or "exceeding" for clarity and accuracy. Remember that using "great than" undermines the formality of your writing, regardless of the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

A general term for indicating a higher quantity or degree.

larger than

Emphasizes size or quantity being bigger.

a higher value than

Focuses on numerical comparison.

exceeding

Highlights the act of surpassing a limit or threshold.

surpassing

Focuses on going beyond a specific level or achievement.

in excess of

Formally indicates a quantity that goes beyond a stated amount.

above

Indicates a position or level that is higher.

over

Similar to 'above', suggesting a higher position or quantity.

outweighing

Specifically refers to being heavier or more significant.

superior to

Indicates a higher quality or rank.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is bigger?

The correct phrase is "greater than". For example, "Five is "greater than" three".

When should I use "greater than"?

Use "greater than" when comparing two values, quantities, or sizes, and you want to express that one is larger than the other. It is grammatically incorrect to say "great than".

What's the difference between "great than" and "greater than"?

"Great" is an adjective meaning large or impressive. "Greater" is a comparative adjective. Therefore, "greater than" is the correct form for comparisons, while "great than" is a grammatical error.

Are there any alternatives to saying "greater than"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more than", "exceeding", or "above". For example, "The cost was "more than" expected" conveys a similar meaning.