the bigger of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the bigger of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when comparing two or more items to indicate the larger one in size, quantity, or degree. Example: "Between the two houses, I prefer the bigger of the two for its spacious layout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's start with China, the bigger of the two economies.

The New York Times

Somebody said I had to check out The Stranger, the bigger of Seattle's two alt weeklies.

The New York Times

The bigger of the two Groot Rivers enters the sea here.

The New York Times - Travel

Tate, the bigger of the Utes' massive tailback tandem, bulled in on a 3-yard run.

The New York Times - Sports

Chomp! "Good on you, Victoria!" he said, as the bigger of the two snatched it up.

The New York Times - Travel

"The suite has two more rooms, the bigger of which looks out to a natural solarium.

The New York Times

The violence was organised by the two parties and Jamaat-e-Islami, the bigger of the BNP's two Islamist allies.

The Economist

The injury sites ranged from the toe to the tibia, the bigger of the two bones in the lower leg.

The New York Times

The big draw for Pfizer, the bigger of the two, is not Botox, but Allergan's tax domicile in Ireland.

Independent

Another breakthrough came when Dole, the bigger of America's two banana giants, added its support to the Caribbean proposal.

The Economist

Two schemes to resolve disputes exist, the bigger of which is run by the Property Ombudsman (TPO).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the bigger of" when referring to something measurable, such as size, quantity or amount. Otherwise, choose a better word like "better" or "more appropriate".

Common error

Avoid using "the bigger of" when comparing more than two items. The correct phrase for comparisons involving three or more items is "the biggest of". For example, it's correct to say "the bigger of the two", but incorrect to say "the bigger of the three".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the bigger of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a comparative construction. It modifies a noun by singling out one item from a set of two, indicating it is the larger in size, quantity, or degree. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the bigger of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase to indicate the larger item when comparing only two things. As supported by the analysis and examples found by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across diverse sources like News & Media, Science and Wiki and considered appropriate for neutral contexts. Avoid common mistakes such as using "the bigger of" when comparing more than two items. Instead, use "the biggest of" in such cases. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase adheres to standard English grammar rules, making it a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the larger of

Replaces "bigger" with its synonym "larger", maintaining the exact same meaning and context.

the greater of

Substitutes "bigger" with "greater", which is suitable when referring to abstract quantities or values rather than physical size.

the taller of

Specifies the dimension being compared, focusing on height rather than general size.

the wider of

Specifies the dimension being compared, focusing on width rather than general size.

the longer of

Specifies the dimension being compared, focusing on length rather than general size.

the more significant of

Replaces "bigger" to emphasize importance or impact rather than physical size.

the more substantial of

Indicates that one item has more substance or value than the other.

the senior of

Used when comparing people in terms of seniority, age, or experience.

the elder of

Used to indicate which of two people is older.

the dominant of

Suggests one item is more powerful or influential than the other.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "the bigger of" in a sentence?

Use "the bigger of" when comparing two things to indicate which one has a greater size, amount, or degree. For example: "Which do you like better, the small house or "the bigger of" the two?"

What is a suitable alternative to "the bigger of"?

Alternatives to "the bigger of" include "the larger of" and "the greater of", depending on whether you are referring to physical size or quantity.

When should I use "the bigger of" versus "the biggest of"?

"The bigger of" should be used only when comparing two items. If you are comparing three or more items, use "the biggest of". For instance, "This is the bigger of the two" is correct, whereas "This is the biggest of the three" is correct.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the bigger of all"?

No, "the bigger of all" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "the biggest of all" since "bigger of" is reserved for comparing only two items.