next big thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'next big thing' is a perfectly usable phrase in written English
You can use it to describe something that is the hot new topic, trend, or invention that is creating a lot of excitement. For example, "Many people are calling virtual reality the next big thing in entertainment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The next big thing?

The New York Times

Next big thing?

The New York Times

It next big thing.

Harvard University

What's your next big thing?

The New York Times

Or the next big thing?

The New York Times

What will be the next big thing to improve performance?

New Scientist

Mortgages may be the next big thing.

The Economist

Montenegro, apparently, is the next big thing.

Independent

Is Yiddish literature the next big thing?

The New Yorker

What's the next big thing?

The Guardian - Books

Next big thing Indoor gardening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of your audience; while suitable for journalism and business, use more precise terms like "paradigm shift" in highly formal academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase to describe incremental updates. If the subject is not truly revolutionary, it can make your writing seem hyperbolic or derivative. Reserve it for significant shifts to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

"Next big thing" functions as a complex noun phrase, often acting as a predicate nominative to classify a subject as highly significant or trend-setting. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a recognizable idiomatic construction used to frame future expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Business & Tech

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki & General Knowledge

1%

Formal Legislation

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Next big thing" is a cornerstone of modern predictive writing and trend analysis. Ludwig AI demonstrates that the phrase is used across a vast array of prestigious domains, from The New York Times to Nature, to highlight potential breakthroughs in fields ranging from quantum dot solar cells to digital finance. While it can occasionally border on cliché if used without substance, it remains a powerful linguistic tool for signaling importance and market potential. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is most effective when used to prompt deeper investigation into whether a specific innovation truly has the staying power to redefine its industry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

newest trend

More descriptive of social or fashion movements rather than technological shifts.

next wave

Suggests a broader movement involving multiple related developments.

game changer

Emphasizes the impact and transformation caused by the item rather than its status as a trend.

next frontier

Suggests a new area of exploration or a major technological boundary.

rising star

Often used to describe people or specific stocks rather than concepts or technologies.

breakthrough

Focuses on the scientific or technical achievement itself.

innovation

A more formal and technical term for a new development.

market disrupter

Specifically targets the business impact of a new product.

cultural phenomenon

Focuses on the widespread social adoption of an idea.

successor

Specifically refers to what replaces a current standard.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "next big thing"?

You can use alternatives like "newest trend", "game changer" or "rising star" depending on the context.

Is "next big thing" a formal expression?

It is widely accepted in professional journalism and business settings, as seen in publications like The New York Times and Forbes. However, it may be considered slightly informal for strictly academic or scientific peer-reviewed journals.

How do I use "next big thing" in a sentence?

It is typically used after a linking verb or as a direct object. For example: "Many analysts believe that decentralized finance is the "next big thing" in global banking."

What is the difference between "next big thing" and "game changer"?

While the "next big thing" refers to the trendiness and anticipated popularity of a subject, a "game changer" specifically refers to something that fundamentally alters the existing rules or structure of a situation.