make great sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"make great sense" is a correct phrase used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is logical, reasonable, and well thought-out. For example: "His plan to save money by cutting back on unnecessary expenses makes great sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Some solar applications using battery storage make great sense.

The Guardian

contrarian ideas she expressed in her class on peace-building in Yugoslavia have come to make great sense to him.

MIT Technology Review

And while at first glance leather boots and shoes for summer might seem a bit, well, sweaty to put it bluntly, they actually make great sense.

Independent

Running the fibre optics for fast broadband along the existing rail lines and then the new connecting lines would make great sense.

The Guardian

Courses in social and emotional learning also make great sense, Davidson argues, because of neuroplasticity the fact that repeated experiences shape the brain.

University of California, Berkeley

But, he pointed out, it might not make great sense "to construct a large number of objects where large numbers of birds are already flying".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Variable annuities make greatest sense for workers who have saved all that the law allows in tax-deductible plans like 401 k)'s or the Keough plans for small-business owners.

The New York Times

Their voices, recalling the story of Sachet's lonely struggle with Hussein and their own survival, become a kind of testament that helps make greater sense of Iraq's present condition.

The New York Times - Books

With a little arithmetic, the economics begin to make greater sense.

Forbes

In fact, this would make greater sense, since game theory, strictly construed, has never purported to offer a general theory of rational action.

SEP

It also makes great sense.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make great sense" when you want to emphasize that an idea, plan, or action is not just logical, but also highly practical and well-reasoned. For example, "Investing in renewable energy now makes great sense for our future."

Common error

While "make great sense" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less professional. Opt for alternatives like "is perfectly logical" or "is entirely reasonable" to maintain a more sophisticated style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make great sense" primarily functions as a predicate, expressing that something is logical, reasonable, or a good idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. For example, "Some solar applications using battery storage make great sense".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make great sense" is a common and correct expression used to indicate that something is highly logical, reasonable, and practical. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it appears most frequently in News & Media. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "be perfectly logical". Overall, using "make great sense" effectively conveys agreement and highlights the wisdom of a particular idea or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be perfectly logical

Emphasizes the logical aspect more directly, replacing "sense" with "logical" and intensifying it with "perfectly".

be entirely reasonable

Highlights the reasonableness of something, using "entirely" to strengthen the assertion.

hold water

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is sound or logical.

stand to reason

Suggests that something is logical and expected.

add up

Indicates that something is coherent and makes logical sense when considered.

click into place

Implies a sudden understanding or realization that something now makes sense.

be a sound idea

Focuses on the idea itself being sensible and well-founded.

compute

Implies a calculation or assessment that results in a logical conclusion.

scan

Suggests an idea or a situation can be quickly and correctly assessed

align

A more formal alternative, implying that different elements are in agreement and make sense together.

FAQs

How can I use "make great sense" in a sentence?

You can use "make great sense" to express that something is logical or reasonable. For example, "Investing in education "makes great sense" for the future of our society."

What are some alternatives to "make great sense"?

Alternatives include "be perfectly logical", "be entirely reasonable", or "hold water" depending on the specific context.

Is "make great sense" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal academic writing, consider alternatives like "be perfectly logical" or "stand to reason" to maintain a more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "make sense" and "make great sense"?

"Make sense" indicates something is logical. "Make great sense" emphasizes that something is not just logical, but particularly wise, practical, or beneficial. The addition of "great" amplifies the degree of reason and wisdom.