to a large extent

USAGE SUMMARY

"to a large extent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is true in a large or significant degree. For example: "To a large extent, the new plan appears to have been successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To a large extent, yes.

Independent

To a large extent, he already has.

The New Yorker

To a large extent, we have.

The New York Times

Foreigners, to a large extent.

The New York Times - Books

To a large extent they are.

The Guardian

He's an idealist, to a large extent".

The Guardian - Arts

To a large extent, that's changed".

The New York Times

"It's fair to a large extent".

The New York Times - Sports

To a large extent you still don't.

The Guardian - Opinion

To a large extent, Washington has reciprocated.

The New York Times

To a large extent, it has worked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to a large extent" to acknowledge a partial truth or influence, rather than making an absolute statement. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to a large extent" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and impactful alternatives such as "significantly", "primarily", or "substantially" to convey your intended meaning with greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a large extent" functions as a degree adverbial, modifying a verb, adjective, or clause to indicate the degree or scope to which something is true or applicable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to a large extent" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is true or applicable in a significant but not absolute way. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions as a degree adverbial and is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to consider more precise alternatives like "significantly" or "primarily" in formal writing to enhance clarity and impact. Avoid overuse and ensure the phrase accurately reflects the degree of influence or truth you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in large measure

Replaces "extent" with "measure", focusing on the degree to which something is true or effective.

to a considerable degree

Substitutes "large extent" with "considerable degree", emphasizing the significance of the degree.

to a significant degree

Emphasizes the importance of the degree or impact, making it suitable for more formal contexts.

for the most part

Offers a simpler, more direct way to convey that something is generally true, but not entirely.

largely

A concise adverb that directly modifies a verb or adjective to indicate a significant portion or degree.

primarily

Highlights the main or most important factor, implying that other factors are less significant.

mostly

A common and straightforward way to indicate that something is true in the majority of cases.

to a great extent

Similar to "to a large extent" but emphasizes the magnitude or impact even more.

appreciably

Implies that something is noticeable or measurable, suggesting a tangible impact.

substantially

Indicates that something is considerable or significant, often used in more formal or technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "to a large extent" in a sentence?

Use "to a large extent" to indicate that something is true or applicable in a significant but not absolute way. For example, "To a large extent, the success of the project depended on teamwork."

What phrases can I use instead of "to a large extent"?

You can use alternatives like "in large measure", "to a considerable degree", or "for the most part" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "to a large extent" and "largely"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "to a large extent" is typically used as a sentence modifier, whereas "largely" functions as an adverb directly modifying a verb or adjective. Consider "The problem was, "to a large extent", due to miscommunication" versus "The problem was "largely" due to miscommunication."

When is it appropriate to use "to a large extent" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to a large extent" when you want to acknowledge that something is mostly true or influential, but not entirely. It is useful for adding nuance and precision to your statements.