greatest library

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest library" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a library that is considered the best or most significant in terms of size, collection, or importance. Example: "The Library of Alexandria was often regarded as the greatest library of the ancient world, housing countless scrolls and texts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Earth's greatest library is burning.

The New York Times

Marvel now has the greatest library of intellectual property there is.

The Guardian

Biodiversity is earth's greatest library, and we have not matured enough as a species, as a civilization, to realize it yet.

The New York Times

"At a time when people wonder about the future of libraries, we're going to create the greatest library the world has ever seen".

The New York Times - Arts

In it, the Doctor, played by David Tennant, and his companion, Donna Noble played by Catherine Tate, visit the greatest library in the universe.

The Guardian

He's an immigrant student, a transplant from Alexandria, Egypt — home of the greatest library in history — "staying the whole summer, holding a very part-time summer job in one of the Harvard libraries".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is the only metropolitan research library to be ranked with the greatest libraries of the world.

The New Yorker

"The New York Public Library is one of New York's great institution's, and one of the world's greatest libraries," Mr. Rudenstine, said in a statement.

The New York Times

The British Museum Library was one of the world's greatest libraries, and the Reading Room allowed researchers more room to work with the books and other research materials housed in the British Museum Library.

Huffington Post

"It could be a great library," Williams responded.

The New Yorker

It "founded no great library, no university, no hospital".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "greatest library", ensure that you have a clear criterion for what makes it the "greatest". Is it the size, the historical significance, the breadth of its collection, or its accessibility? Providing context strengthens your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "greatest library" hyperbolically. If the library is merely very good but not demonstrably the best by specific, measurable standards, opt for alternatives like "impressive library" or "extensive collection" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest library" functions as a noun phrase where "greatest" is an adjective modifying the noun "library". It serves to identify a specific library considered superior in some aspect, such as size, collection, or historical importance, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatest library" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for denoting a library considered superior due to its size, historical significance, or collection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. While "greatest library" appears most frequently in news and media, it's essential to use this superlative judiciously, ensuring the library truly warrants such distinction. Alternatives include "most significant library" or "premier library", depending on the specific characteristic being emphasized. Therefore, when employing "greatest library", context and accuracy are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most significant library

Focuses on the library's importance rather than just its size or collection.

most important library

Highlights the library's relevance and impact.

finest library

Emphasizes the quality and excellence of the library's collection and resources.

premier library

Indicates the library's leading position or status.

leading library

Stresses the library's position as a frontrunner in its field.

world-class library

Highlights the library's international recognition and exceptional quality.

top library

A more informal way of indicating the library's high ranking.

best library

A simpler way to express that the library is of very high quality or significance.

largest library

Focuses solely on the size and scope of the library's collection.

most extensive library

Similar to 'largest library', but emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the collection.

FAQs

How can I use "greatest library" in a sentence?

You might say, "The Library of Alexandria was considered the "greatest library" of its time, housing a vast collection of scrolls." or "For researchers, the British Library remains the "greatest library" due to its unparalleled historical documents."

What are some alternatives to "greatest library"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "most significant library", "premier library", or "finest library".

Is it correct to refer to a digital archive as the "greatest library"?

While technically accurate if the digital archive is the largest or most comprehensive, consider whether "most extensive archive" or "leading digital repository" might be more appropriate to avoid misinterpretation.

What makes a library the "greatest library"?

The criteria vary, but typically it involves a combination of factors such as the size and diversity of its collection, its historical importance, its accessibility to researchers and the public, and its contribution to the advancement of knowledge. A library may be considered the "greatest" due to its historical significance, unparalleled collection, or innovative services.