the greater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the greater" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things, as in the following example: "The greater the risk, the greater the reward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The greater good.

The New York Times

■ The Greater Allen A.M.E.

The New York Times

"Trust in the greater truth".

The New Yorker

It's also the greater achievement.

The New York Times - Arts

He faces the greater challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

It has the greater force.

The Economist

Who was the greater star?

The New Yorker

Clark could be the greater loss.

Independent

I believe in the greater cause.

Independent

Who's the greater patriot?

The Guardian - Opinion

And that, perhaps, is the greater gift.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the greater" in formal writing, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register, and that a more sophisticated alternative isn't more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "the greater" without a clear point of reference. Ensure the reader understands what is being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the greater" functions as a determiner followed by an adjective, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate a comparative degree. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often used to compare two entities or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the greater" is a common phrase used to indicate a comparative degree, emphasizing the larger size, higher degree, or superiority of one thing compared to another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. It's important to use "the greater" with a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "the superior" or "the larger" can be used, "the greater" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Using this information helps ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the larger

Specifically emphasizes physical size or extent.

the bigger

A more informal way to indicate larger size or importance.

the superior

Focuses on higher quality or ability rather than size or quantity.

the more significant

Highlights importance or impact instead of size.

the more considerable

Stresses the substantial or noteworthy nature of something.

the more substantial

Similar to 'the more considerable', focusing on the solid and real nature of something.

the principal

Indicates the main or most important element.

the foremost

Highlights being at the front or most important position.

the paramount

Emphasizes supreme importance or dominance.

the overriding

Highlights the power or influence to supersede other considerations.

FAQs

How is "the greater" used in a sentence?

Use "the greater" to compare two things, indicating which is larger, more important, or has a higher degree of something. For example, "the greater the risk, the greater the reward".

What's the difference between "the greater" and "the more"?

"The greater" typically compares two specific items or options, while "the more" is often used in broader or general comparisons to express correlation such as "the more you study, the more you know".

Can I use "the greater" for things that aren't quantifiable?

Yes, you can use "the greater" for abstract concepts like importance, influence, or value, not just for physical quantities. For example, "the greater good".

Is it ever incorrect to use "the greater"?

It would be incorrect if there is no comparative context. Using "the greater" implies a comparison, so it's misused if there's nothing to compare it to.