very large

USAGE SUMMARY

"very large" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a degree of largeness or greatness, such as in the sentence: "The company grew very large over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A very large one.

The New York Times

He's a very large fellow.

The New York Times

The barn was very large.

The New York Times - Books

Just heard very large blast.

The New York Times

Wolves eat very large prey.

The New York Times

Very large crude carriers (VLCCs).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lots of energy, very large.

The New York Times

And very large manuals.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Very, very large".

The New Yorker

It is very large.

The Guardian - Books

A very large mistake.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very large" to describe physical dimensions, quantities, or abstract concepts like "very large" amounts of data or a "very large" impact.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very large"; use more descriptive and precise adjectives (e.g., "immense", "substantial", "extensive") to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

"Very large" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, intensifying the size or magnitude of the noun it modifies. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes concrete objects (e.g., "very large box") and abstract concepts (e.g., "very large profits").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very large" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the size or extent of something. Ludwig examples show it spans across various contexts, from describing physical objects to abstract quantities. While the phrase is widely acceptable, considering synonyms like "substantial", "immense", or "extensive" can add nuance and specificity to your writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is applicable in both neutral and professional registers. Remember to avoid overuse and strive for precise language to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge

A common synonym for very large.

gigantic

Highlights exceptionally large size.

massive

Indicates an extreme size.

immense

Implies greatness in size or extent.

enormous

Similar to immense, denoting a huge size.

substantial

Emphasizes size and importance.

sizable

Suggests a noteworthy size.

considerable

Highlights the amount or degree.

voluminous

Focuses on the capacity or amount.

extensive

Focuses on the scale or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "very large" in a sentence?

You can use "very large" to describe the size of something, such as "a very large house" or to describe an amount, such as "a very large sum of money".

What are some alternatives to "very large"?

Alternatives to "very large" include "substantial", "considerable", "immense", and "huge", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "very large" or are there better options?

"Very large" is grammatically correct and widely used. However, using more specific adjectives like "massive" or "extensive" can sometimes provide a more vivid description.

What is the difference between "very large" and "extremely large"?

"Very large" and "extremely large" are similar, but "extremely large" suggests a higher degree of size. You can use "extremely large" when you want to emphasize the exceptional size of something.