Usage note: big / large /
great
These adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:
These adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:
|
big ~
|
large ~
|
great ~
|
|
man
|
numbers
|
success
|
|
house
|
part
|
majority
|
|
car
|
area
|
interest
|
|
boy
|
room
|
importance
|
|
dog
|
company
|
difficulty
|
|
smile
|
eyes
|
problem
|
|
problem
|
family
|
pleasure
|
|
surprise
|
volume
|
beauty
|
|
question
|
population
|
artist
|
|
difference
|
problem
|
surprise
|
Large is more formal than big and should be used in writing unless it is in an informal style. It is not usually used to describe people, except to avoid saying ‘fat’.Great often suggests quality and not just size. Note also the phrases:a large amount of ◇ a large number of ◇ a large quantity of ◇ a great deal of ◇ in great detail◇ a person of great age.
