the world at large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the world at large" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the general population or to the larger society. For example: The government's new policy is intended to have an impact on the world at large.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And of the world at large.

The New York Times

"But it was good for the world at large.

The New Yorker

He did not seek to disabuse the world at large.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is not unusual in the world at large.

The Economist

Damage to the world at large is huge.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was the recognisable one to the world at large".

The Guardian - Music

"His knowledge of the world at large is very limited".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Follow Megan Koester on TwItter.

Vice

My staff and the world-at-large could wait.

University of California, Berkeley

As the world-at-large converges to celebrate his work, there's no more reason to hide.

Vice

"Hilarious, but every episode deals with an issue relating to the world-at-large".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the world at large" when you want to convey a sense of universality or broad impact. It's suitable for discussing issues that affect everyone, not just specific groups.

Common error

Avoid using "the world at large" when discussing localized or niche topics. Using it in contexts with limited scope inflates the sentence and reduces clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the world at large" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement in a sentence. It refers to the global community or humanity in general. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show its application in various contexts to denote universal impacts or perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the world at large" is a widely recognized and grammatically correct phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, typically to reference the entire global population or widespread impacts. Usage is most prevalent in News & Media and Academia sources. To avoid common pitfalls, ensure its use aligns with genuinely global or universal topics, preventing overextension in localized discussions. Consider alternatives like "the global community" or "all humanity" for nuanced contexts. This phrase effectively connects diverse subjects to a broad audience, emphasizing their global relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entire world

Directly emphasizes the totality and global extent.

the global population

Directly refers to the total number of people inhabiting the planet.

all humanity

Emphasizes the collective nature of the human race.

the global community

Focuses on the interconnectedness and collective aspect of the world's population.

the earth's inhabitants

Puts emphasis on people as residents of Earth.

the human race

A more formal and scientific term for humanity.

the international arena

Highlights interactions and relationships between nations on a global scale.

worldwide society

Indicates the cumulative social structures and interactions across the globe.

the general public

Emphasizes the common people and their collective views or experiences.

everybody

Simplifies the concept, referring to all people universally.

FAQs

How can I use "the world at large" in a sentence?

Use "the world at large" when referring to global impacts or general public perception. For instance, "The new policy is expected to benefit "the world at large"".

What are some alternatives to "the world at large"?

Depending on the context, you could use "the global community", "the general public", or "all humanity".

Is "the world at large" formal or informal?

"The world at large" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and academic writing.

What does it mean to say something is 'good for "the world at large"'?

Saying something is 'good for "the world at large"' means it benefits humanity or the global environment in some way, contributing positively on a widespread scale.