Question

What are the differences among great, large and big?

Answer 1

Big and large are used mostly with concrete nouns – the names of things you can see, touch etc.

• They have a big/large house in the city.

Great is used mostly with abstract nouns - things you cannot see, touch etc.

• It was a great mistake.

• I have great respect for her ideas.

Big can be used with countable abstract nouns in an informal style. Large is not used with abstract nouns.

• You are making a big mistake. (NOT …a large mistake.)

With uncountable concrete nouns, none of these words can be used.

• You have got a lot of luggage. (NOT … big/large/great luggage.)

Reference: Practical English Usage by Michael Swan Published By Oxford University Press