is larger than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is larger than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making comparisons between two quantities, sizes, or values. Example: "The new building is larger than the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The spirit is larger than they are.

The New York Times - Arts

"The whole is larger than its parts.

The New York Times - Arts

"The problem is larger than us".

The New York Times

But 2003 UB313 is larger than Pluto.

The Economist

That is larger than the 1999 tornado.

The New York Times

It is larger than life.

The New York Times

"He is larger than life".

The New York Times

None is larger than China.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the picture is larger than that.

The New York Times

Daniel is larger than Le Cirque was.

The New York Times

Now, that spacing is larger than the blue spacing.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more precise term, such as 'wider', 'longer', or 'greater', would be more appropriate and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "is larger than" when you simply mean "is large". Ensure a clear comparison is being made to another entity; otherwise, opt for a simple descriptive adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is larger than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that one noun or concept possesses a greater size, extent, or magnitude compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

HuffPost

6%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is larger than" serves as a versatile comparative tool, primarily used to indicate differences in size, extent, or magnitude. It is grammatically correct and enjoys widespread usage, as validated by Ludwig AI. While its register is generally neutral, more precise alternatives may be preferred in specialized contexts. The prevalence of this phrase in News & Media suggests its common role in describing and comparing various entities, whether physical or abstract. Use cases are diverse and encompass anything from geographic comparisons and size comparisons, to significance or abstraction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is greater than

Focuses on numerical or abstract quantity rather than physical size.

is bigger than

A more informal synonym, typically used for physical size but applicable more generally.

is wider than

Specifically refers to the measurement of width.

is longer than

Specifically refers to the measurement of length.

exceeds

More formal, indicates surpassing a limit or amount.

surpasses

Indicates exceeding or outdoing something in quality or degree.

outweighs

Implies a greater importance or influence.

is more extensive than

Emphasizes the breadth or scope of something.

is of a greater magnitude than

More formal, emphasizes a significant difference in scale or importance.

is substantially greater than

Highlights a significant and noticeable difference.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "is larger than"?

More formal alternatives include "exceeds", "surpasses", or "is of a greater magnitude than", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is bigger than" instead of "is larger than"?

"Is bigger than" is generally acceptable and often interchangeable with "is larger than", but it's considered more informal. Use it in casual contexts, while reserving "is larger than" for more formal writing.

Can "is larger than" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "is larger than" can be used for abstract concepts like importance, influence, or scope. For example, "The problem "is larger than" initially assumed."

What's the difference between "is larger than" and "is greater than"?

"Is larger than" typically refers to physical size or extent, while "is greater than" is generally used for numerical values or abstract quantities.