"Big" describes physical size or importance; "great" describes exceptional quality or magnitude.
Large in size, quantity, or importance. Opposite of "small".
They live in a big house on the edge of town.
Ellos viven en una casa grande en las afueras del pueblo.
This is a big decision. Take your time.
Esta es una decision importante. Tomatelo con calma.
He has a big smile that you notice from across the room.
El tiene una gran sonrisa que se nota desde el otro lado de la sala.
Excellent, exceptional, of great magnitude or quality. Can intensify emotions.
She is a great teacher. Her students always learn a lot.
Ella es una excelente maestra. Sus estudiantes siempre aprenden mucho.
We had a great time at the concert last night.
Pasamos muy bien en el concierto anoche.
Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world.
Alejandro el Grande conquisto gran parte del mundo conocido.
Common mistake
Saying "a great house" when you mean the house is physically large. "A great house" in English means the house is excellent or impressive. "A big house" means it is physically large. The reverse: "she is a big teacher" sounds odd — it implies she is physically or metaphorically large, not that she is a good teacher.
Trick to remember it
Substitution test: if you can replace it with "excellent" or "amazing", use "great". If you can replace it with "large" or "significant", use "big". "A great meal" = an excellent meal. "A big meal" = a large or abundant meal (lots of food, not necessarily delicious).
Quick rule
Big = large in size or importance. Great = excellent in quality or extraordinary in magnitude.
Did you know?
In country names and rulers, "Great" denotes power or historical size: "Great Britain" does not mean it is excellent — it means the large island (as opposed to "Little Britain" / Brittany in France). "Alexander the Great" was not tall — he was great in conquests. The adjective "great" has 3000 years of history in English and its meanings have shifted considerably.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
We had a _____ weekend in the mountains. The views were incredible.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Moving to a new country is a _____ step. Make sure you are ready.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Big = large in size or importance. Great = excellent in quality or extraordinary in magnitude.
Saying "a great house" when you mean the house is physically large. "A great house" in English means the house is excellent or impressive. "A big house" means it is physically large. The reverse: "she is a big teacher" sounds odd — it implies she is physically or metaphorically large, not that she is a good teacher.
Substitution test: if you can replace it with "excellent" or "amazing", use "great". If you can replace it with "large" or "significant", use "big". "A great meal" = an excellent meal. "A big meal" = a large or abundant meal (lots of food, not necessarily delicious).
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy