so big that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so big that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the magnitude of something. For example, "The storm was so big that it took three hours for it to pass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sky felt so big that day.

Huffington Post

"This is not something that's so big that it's fanciful.

The Guardian

The word has become so big that it must fail".

The New Yorker

Now they're so big that some have even gone public.

The New York Times

We are so big that we cannot and do not".

The New York Times

It is so big that tram service is provided.

The New York Times - Arts

"The problem is so big that it's not an American problem," he said.

The New York Times

One problem is that China's investments are so big that they move markets.

The Economist

Banks have gotten so big that they can unleash havoc and bill us for the pleasure.

The New York Times

It is so big that it could shape a new era for America's drug market.

The Economist

She said it was so big that she could see it from Wasilla".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so big that" to clearly indicate a cause-and-effect relationship where size is a crucial factor. For example, "The crowd was "so big that" the sidewalk was impassable."

Common error

Avoid relying on "so big that" in overly formal writing where more precise language might be appropriate. Instead, consider using alternatives like "to such an extent that" or rephrasing for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so big that" functions as an adverbial intensifier followed by a consequence clause. It emphasizes the magnitude of something to such a degree that it leads to a specific result or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Many examples can be found in news articles and literature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so big that" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the magnitude of something and its direct consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for most contexts, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "to such an extent that" in highly formal settings. Understanding its function and purpose can enhance clarity and impact in your writing. The phrase serves to emphasize the degree of size or magnitude and to highlight the result of that size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so large that

Replaces "big" with "large", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

so immense that

Substitutes "big" with "immense", intensifying the sense of size and scale.

so huge that

Uses "huge" instead of "big", adding a more emphatic tone to the description.

so enormous that

Employs "enormous" in place of "big", highlighting the vastness of something.

so vast that

Substitutes "big" with "vast", emphasizing the expansive nature of the size.

to such an extent that

Replaces the "so...that" structure with a more formal phrasing, focusing on the degree or consequence.

so great that

Replaces "big" with "great", suggesting a considerable or significant magnitude.

so considerable that

Replaces "big" with "considerable", emphasizing the significance or impact of the size.

so substantial that

Uses "substantial" instead of "big", focusing on the solid or significant nature of the size.

sufficiently large that

Uses a more formal structure to express that something is large enough to cause a certain outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "so big that" in a sentence?

Use "so big that" to emphasize the magnitude of something and its resulting effect. For instance, "The wave was "so big that" it crashed over the entire pier."

What are some alternatives to "so big that"?

You can use alternatives like "so large that", "so huge that", or "to such an extent that" depending on the context.

Is "so big that" considered formal or informal?

"So big that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "so big that" and "very big"?

"So big that" implies a consequence or result due to the size, while "very big" simply describes the size without necessarily indicating an outcome. For example, "The house is very big" just describes the house, while "The house is "so big that" it has its own zip code" implies the size has further implications.