great deal
Noun Phrase: - A very large quantity, amount, or degree of something. It is used to emphasize that something is large in scale, number, or intensity. The phrase is almost always followed by "of" to introduce the thing being described.
The phrase "a great deal" is used as a quantifier to modify uncountable nouns or to describe the intensity of an action or state when used with verbs or adjectives. It functions as an adverb in these cases.
As a quantifier (followed by 'of' + noun):
- She has a great deal of experience in this field.
- The project requires a great deal of patience and time.
- We learned a great deal of information from the lecture.
As an adverb (modifying a verb or comparative adjective):
- I miss you a great deal.
- The new software has improved a great deal.
- This book is a great deal more interesting than the last one.
"A great deal" vs. "A lot": While often interchangeable, "a great deal" can sound slightly more formal or emphatic than "a lot" in written English.
- Formal/Emphatic: The decision involved a great deal of consideration.
- Informal: The decision involved a lot of consideration.
Elliptical Use: Sometimes the phrase can stand alone when the object is understood from context.
- Question: "Did the news surprise you?"
- Answer: "Yes, a great deal."
- Greatly (adverb): To a large extent or degree. (e.g., )
- Deal (noun): While having many meanings, one is an indefinite large quantity (e.g., ). "A great deal" is an intensified form of this.
- A large amount: A big quantity.
- A lot: A large number or amount (more common in informal speech).
- Considerably: By a notably large amount or degree (often used as an adverb).
- Substantially: To a great extent; significantly.
Note: "Great deal" itself is not a phrasal verb. The following are common collocations. - Deal with: To handle, manage, or be concerned with something. - We must deal with a great deal of paperwork.
- A good deal: Similar to "a great deal," meaning a large amount or a favorable transaction.
- He got a good deal on the car. (favorable transaction)
- She knows a good deal about history. (large amount of knowledge)
- (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
- a batch of letters
- a deal of trouble
- a lot of money
- he made a mint on the stock market
- see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
- it must have cost plenty
- a slew of journalists
- a wad of money