greater
- 01 A2 Elementary
more than something else in size, amount, or importance.
the comparative form of 'great', indicating a superior degree of magnitude, intensity, or significance relative to another entity.
Simple“The risk of failure was greater than we first thought.”
In context“The environmental impact of the new factory proved to be significantly greater than the initial projections had suggested.”
UsageUsually followed by 'than' when comparing two things.
PitfallThis is more greater than that. This is greater than that.Greater is already a comparative form; do not use 'more' with it.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
used with the name of a city to include the city itself and the smaller towns around it.
used attributively in geographical nomenclature to denote a metropolitan area comprising a central city and its surrounding suburbs or satellite towns.
Simple“Many people who work in the city center live in Greater London.”
In context“The transport strategy aims to improve connectivity across Greater Manchester, focusing on the outer boroughs rather than just the urban core.”
UsageAlways placed immediately before the name of the city or region.
Teacher's tipExplain to students that this is a specific administrative or geographical term, not just a way to say the city is 'big'.
Synonyms
Usage greater risk · greater attention · greater numbers