What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
greater
Example
The population of New York City is greater than that of Los Angeles. [greater: comparative adjective]
Example
She has a greater understanding of the subject matter than her classmates. [greater: comparative adjective]
Example
The company experienced greater profits this year compared to last year. [greater: comparative adjective]
larger
Example
The elephant is larger than the dog. [larger: comparative adjective]
Example
I need a larger shirt size than what I currently have. [larger: comparative adjective]
Example
We need a larger container to hold all of the soup. [larger: comparative adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Larger is more commonly used than greater in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts. Greater is less common but is still used in academic or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between greater and larger?
Greater is generally considered more formal and academic than larger, which is more commonly used in informal or everyday contexts.
