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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

what's bigger
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

What's bigger than too big too fail?

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I actually don't know what's bigger," said Cox. "His bank account, his arrogance, or his hypocrisy".

News & Media

The Guardian

People there may not know what's bigger, a brigade or a battalion.

News & Media

The New York Times

"When you talk about the streak, what's bigger than the streak is they're the world champs," coach Jason Kidd said.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

What's bigger than colonizing Mars?

News & Media

TechCrunch

Except, of course, when what's bigger is the person actually having the steak, the cola or the cappuccino.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

What is big?

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

What was biggest effect replacement referees had on your game?

News & Media

The New York Times

What is big data exactly?

News & Media

BBC

O'Reilly Media: What are "big games"?

News & Media

Forbes

What is big enough?

News & Media

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider expanding the contraction to "what is bigger" or using "which is larger" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Ensure that the two things being compared are in the same category; for example, avoid using "what's bigger" to compare a physical object with an abstract emotion unless the intent is strictly metaphorical and clearly defined.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

91%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's bigger" serves as an interrogative structure used to initiate a comparison. As noted in Ludwig, it functions primarily as a predicate to ask about the relative size or importance of a subject compared to another. The use of the contraction "'s" (is) followed by a comparative adjective is standard in both spoken and written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "what's bigger" is a versatile and correct English phrase used across various prestigious publications. Ludwig AI data reveals that while it is primarily used for physical comparisons in science and news, it also finds frequent use as a metaphorical tool to discuss significance and notoriety. Whether you are comparing galaxies or corporate structures, this phrase effectively prompts the reader to consider hierarchy and magnitude. For maximum formal impact, one might consider alternatives like ""what is larger"", but in most journalistic and professional contexts, the standard form is widely accepted and effective.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is larger

Uses the full verb and a synonym more common for physical dimensions.

which is greater

More formal and often used when choosing between specific options.

what carries more weight

An idiomatic way to ask what is more important or influential.

what is more significant

Shifts focus from physical size to importance or impact.

what is more substantial

Focuses on the weight or volume of the subject.

what exceeds

A more active verb choice used for comparisons of quantity or limits.

what is more massive

Used specifically for mass or sheer physical bulk.

what is of higher magnitude

Often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe scale.

which outstrips

Emphasizes the act of being bigger or better than something else.

what is more expansive

Specifically refers to area, space or coverage.

FAQs

How do I use "what's bigger" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare two objects or ideas, such as "Between the Earth and the Sun, "what is larger"?" or metaphorically like "In terms of impact, "what's greater" than a global discovery?"

Is "what's bigger" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct contraction of "what is bigger". In highly formal documents, however, expanding it to "what is bigger" is often preferred.

What can I say instead of "what's bigger"?

Depending on the context, you can use ""what is larger"", "which is greater", or "what is more significant".

What is the difference between "what's bigger" and "which is bigger"?

The phrase "which is bigger" is typically used when choosing from a limited, known set of items, while "what's bigger" is more open-ended and often used for general comparisons or rhetorical questions.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

91%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

1-200 1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 7k 10k 20k 40k 100k 200k 500k 0m-3 0m-4 1m-1 1m-2 1m-3 1m-4

what's biggerGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

what's bigger
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples