What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bigger
Example
The elephant is bigger than the dog. [bigger: comparative adjective]
Example
I need a bigger suitcase for all my clothes. [bigger: adjective]
greater
Example
She has a greater understanding of the subject than I do. [greater: comparative adjective]
Example
The greater the effort, the greater the reward. [greater: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bigger is more commonly used than greater in everyday language. Bigger is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while greater is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bigger and greater?
While bigger is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, greater is considered more formal and is often used in academic or professional contexts.
