it was greater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was greater" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing something to another thing, indicating that it was superior in some way. Example: "In my opinion, the sequel was greater than the original film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that was part of what made the team so special: it was greater than the sum of its parts.

The New Yorker

It was greater than the sum of its songs, which were sequenced to provide a sort of cumulative dramatic arc.

The Guardian - Music

I miss the friendship and genuinely feel that the power of The Libertines was that it was greater than the sum of its parts.

The Guardian - Music

In Harlem, it was greater than fifty.

The New Yorker

In the end, it was greater than x + y.

The Guardian

Yet it was greater in scale than any yet constructed.

The New York Times - Arts

For the Dow, it was greater than in any year since 1933.

The New York Times

Often, it was greater than the number of voters for Cruz and Trump combined.

The New Yorker

Sometimes a Whitney Biennial fills the bill; last year it was "Greater New York".

The New York Times - Arts

"I have had many dreams about the Tour Grand Départ in Yorkshire but it was greater than a dream".

The Guardian - Sport

The doctor told her that the risk of not taking it was greater than the risk of taking it.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was greater" when comparing two distinct entities or quantifiable measures, ensuring the context makes the comparison clear and relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "it was greater" without explicitly stating what is being compared to what. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was greater" functions as a comparative statement. It indicates that a subject possesses a higher degree of a certain attribute when compared to something else. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is commonly used to express superiority or excess.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was greater" is used to express that something exceeded another in some quantifiable or qualitative measure. Ludwig AI indicates its use is grammatically correct and it appears primarily in scientific and news contexts. While not extremely common, it's a versatile phrase for making comparisons. When using it, ensure clarity about what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""it exceeded"" or ""it was superior"" based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it exceeded

Replaces "was greater" with a single verb indicating exceeding a limit or expectation.

it surpassed

Similar to "exceeded" but implies going beyond a certain achievement or quality.

it was superior

Focuses on the higher quality or performance compared to something else.

it outstripped

Suggests surpassing something, often in terms of quantity or speed.

it dwarfed

Emphasizes the significant difference in size, scale, or importance.

it transcended

Implies rising above or beyond the limitations of something.

it overshadowed

Suggests that something became less noticeable or important in comparison.

it prevailed

Indicates winning or being more powerful than something else.

it triumphed

Emphasizes a victory or success over something.

it dominated

Implies a strong control or influence over something.

FAQs

What does "it was greater" mean?

The phrase "it was greater" means that something exceeded another thing in size, amount, degree, or quality. It signifies a comparison where one element is superior or larger than the other in a specific aspect.

What can I say instead of "it was greater"?

You can use alternatives like "it exceeded", "it surpassed", or "it was superior" depending on the context.

How to use "it was greater" in a sentence?

To use "it was greater" effectively, ensure you clearly state what "it" refers to and what it is being compared to. For example, "The team's effort this year was greater than last year's."

Is it more appropriate to say "it was greater" or "it was better"?

The choice between "it was greater" and "it was better" depends on the context. Use "it was greater" when you want to emphasize a difference in quantity or degree. Use "it was better" when you want to highlight an improvement in quality or performance.