Big and large both mean “of more than average size”, but large refers only to size and quantity and sounds more neutral, while big is more informal and can also mean “important, serious”. In writing, use large with number, amount and proportion, and big for decisions, problems and changes.
big or large — can you pick the right one?
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big/large + noun (size); a large number/amount/proportion of + noun; big + decision/problem/mistake/change
- We rented a large flat near the station, so there's room for guests.
- Moving abroad was a big step for me, but I don't regret it.
- A large proportion of the staff now work from home two days a week.
What changed
First versionA big number of students live in the university halls.
RevisionA large number of students live in the university halls.
Big is often the first word that comes to mind for size. But number and amount firmly combine with large: a large number of students, a large amount of time. Big number sometimes slips into casual speech, but in an essay or a business email it looks like a mistake.
Big has meanings that large doesn't. My big sister means “my older sister”, not a physically large one. Likewise only big works in a big fan and a big mistake. Used about a person, large refers only to their build: a large man is big and heavily built.
Your turn
Choosing a university is a ___ decision, so talk to people who studied there first.
Show the answer
big — The sentence is about how important the choice is, not its size, so the answer is big. Large describes physical size or quantity, and English speakers don't say a large decision.
Describe a major change in your life: a move, a new job or starting a course. Use big to show how important it was and large for size or quantity.
Moving to another city was a big change for our family, and we needed a large flat for five people.
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