Meaning & use
by and large
Last updated
UK/baɪ ən ˈlɑːdʒ/
US/baɪ ən ˈlɑːrdʒ/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Taking everything into account; in most cases, though not all.
Grammar: Often starts a sentence and is followed by a comma: by and large, people agree.
Patterns
- by and large, clause
By and large, the neighbors get along well.
The trip was, by and large, a success.
By and large, I enjoy my job.
Common combinations
- by and large, people
- By and large, people enjoy the festival.
- by and large successful
- The plan was by and large successful.
- by and large true
- That claim is by and large true.
- by and large satisfied
- Customers were by and large satisfied.
- by and large agree
- The experts by and large agree.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on the whole
- On the whole means the same and is a little more neutral and formal.
- generally
- Generally is a single word and sounds less idiomatic.
- for the most part
- For the most part stresses that nearly all of something is covered.
- mostly
- Mostly is plainer and refers to the main portion rather than a general judgment.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: by and large or at large?
by and large vs at large
At large means free, as in an escaped prisoner, or as a whole, and is not a general summary like by and large.
Practice
I had some problems, but ___, the holiday was lovely.
Choose one answer.
By and large means mostly, which fits a mostly good holiday. At large and on end do not fit the sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “by and large”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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