very big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very big" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the size of an object or concept, often in informal contexts. Example: "The elephant at the zoo was very big, much larger than I had expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very big.

The New York Times

One very big player.

The New York Times - Sports

A very big mark.

Independent

Something very big.

The New York Times

It's very big, though.

The New York Times

"That's very big".

The New York Times

Tommy: Like very big?

The New Yorker

A very big man.

The New York Times - Books

"This is very big".

The New York Times

And very, very big.

The New Yorker

"It's a very big market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very big" when you want to emphasize the size of something in a simple and direct way. While grammatically sound, consider using stronger synonyms like "immense" or "enormous" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid relying on "very big" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to describe size, such as "substantial", "considerable", or domain-specific terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very big" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, serving to emphasize the noun's size or magnitude. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very big" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to express considerable size or magnitude. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While perfectly acceptable in most situations, more formal contexts might benefit from stronger, more precise synonyms like "enormous" or "substantial". Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between "very big" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely large

This alternative uses a different adverb to intensify the adjective, resulting in a more formal tone.

exceptionally large

Replaces "very" with "exceptionally", indicating a deviation from the norm in terms of size.

considerably large

Replaces 'very' with 'considerably', suggesting a notable degree of size.

huge

A common synonym for "very big", suitable for various contexts.

remarkably large

Substitutes "very" with "remarkably", highlighting the unusual or noteworthy size.

enormous

Another single-word adjective conveying a sense of great size, often used interchangeably with 'immense'.

significantly large

This phrase emphasizes the magnitude of the size in terms of its impact or importance.

immense

This is a single-word adjective that captures the sense of great size or scale.

substantially large

Emphasizes the considerable amount of size.

vast

Implies a great expanse or scope, suitable for describing areas or quantities.

FAQs

What does "very big" mean?

The phrase "very big" is used to describe something that is of considerable size or magnitude. It's a simple and direct way to emphasize the size of an object, idea, or concept.

What can I say instead of "very big"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely large", "enormous", "immense", or "vast" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "very big" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "very big" may sound too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "substantial", "considerable", or "significant".

How can I make my writing more descriptive than just saying "very big"?

Instead of simply stating that something is "very big", provide specific details about its size, dimensions, or scale. For example, instead of saying "a very big house", you could say "a sprawling mansion with twenty rooms".