B1 Collocation رسمی 5 دقیقه مطالعه

great deal

Large amount

در ۱۵ ثانیه

  • Means 'a large amount' or 'very much'.
  • Used for uncountable nouns like time, effort, money.
  • More formal than 'a lot', good for professional contexts.
  • Avoid with countable items; use 'a lot' for casual chats.

معنی

این عبارت راهی شیک برای گفتن 'خیلی' یا 'بسیار زیاد' است. شما از آن برای صحبت در مورد مقدار زیادی از چیزی استفاده می کنید، معمولاً چیزهایی که به راحتی قابل شمارش نیستند مانند زمان، تلاش یا پول. این تأکید را اضافه می کند و ممکن است کمی رسمی تر از 'خیلی' به نظر برسد.

مثال‌های کلیدی

3 از 12
1

Texting a friend about a movie

I watched that new sci-fi movie last night, it was amazing! I spent a `great deal` of time thinking about the ending afterwards.

I watched that new sci-fi movie last night, it was amazing! I spent a large amount of time thinking about the ending afterwards.

2

Ordering food delivery

Wow, this pizza place charges a `great deal` for their large size!

Wow, this pizza place charges a lot for their large size!

3

Job interview (Zoom call)

I believe my experience in project management has prepared me for this role, as I've handled a `great deal` of responsibility in my previous position.

I believe my experience in project management has prepared me for this role, as I've handled a large amount of responsibility in my previous position.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

British speakers often use 'a great deal' as a form of 'litotes' or understatement. It sounds more modest than saying 'a huge amount.' In universities worldwide, 'a lot' is often banned in formal essays. 'A great deal' is the standard replacement for emphasizing quantity. In the US, 'a great deal' is used to signal that a topic is serious. It is common in annual reports and high-stakes negotiations. The phrase was extremely popular in the 19th century. Reading classic novels will expose you to this phrase much more than modern TV shows.

🎯

The 'Of' Rule

If there is a noun right after, you MUST use 'of.' If it's at the end of the sentence, NEVER use 'of.'

⚠️

Countability Check

Before using it, ask: 'Can I count this?' If yes (like 'books'), don't use it. If no (like 'knowledge'), go ahead!

در ۱۵ ثانیه

  • Means 'a large amount' or 'very much'.
  • Used for uncountable nouns like time, effort, money.
  • More formal than 'a lot', good for professional contexts.
  • Avoid with countable items; use 'a lot' for casual chats.

What It Means

This phrase, great deal, really just means 'a lot.' It's a common way to talk about a large quantity. It adds a bit of emphasis. You might use it when you've spent lots of time on something. Or maybe you paid a lot of money. It feels a little more formal than just 'a lot'. But it's still super common. It's like saying 'a significant amount'.

How To Use It

Use great deal with uncountable nouns. Think about things like effort, time, money, information, or trouble. You can also use it with abstract concepts. For example, happiness or stress. It often comes after verbs like spend, save, learn, or cause. You can also use it as part of a longer phrase like 'a great deal of'. This is very standard. Don't try to stick it before a countable noun like 'books'. That would sound weird.

Real-Life Examples

  • "I spent a great deal of time preparing for that presentation." (Talking about time spent)
  • "She saved a great deal of money by buying during the sale." (Talking about money saved)
  • "Learning a new language requires a great deal of patience." (Talking about an abstract quality)
  • "The new software caused a great deal of confusion among the staff." (Talking about trouble/problems)
  • "He put a great deal of effort into his artwork." (Talking about effort)

When To Use It

Use great deal when you want to sound a bit more sophisticated. It's great for professional settings. Think job interviews or business emails. It also works well in everyday conversation. It adds weight to your words. Use it when you want to highlight a large quantity. Especially for things you can't count easily. It sounds more impactful than just 'much'. It’s like adding a little sparkle.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid great deal with countable nouns. You wouldn't say 'a great deal of apples'. That's a no-go. Also, try not to overuse it. It can start to sound repetitive. If you're texting a close friend about something casual, maybe just say 'a lot'. Great deal can sound a bit too formal for very casual chats. Like, don't text your mom 'I ate a great deal of pizza'. She'll think you're being weirdly formal.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ I bought a great deal of shirts. → ✓ I bought a lot of shirts.
  • ✗ There was a great deal of people at the concert. → ✓ There were a lot of people at the concert.
  • ✗ She has a great deal of friends. → ✓ She has a lot of friends.
  • ✗ He made a great deal of mistakes. → ✓ He made a lot of mistakes.

Similar Expressions

  • A lot of: This is the most common and versatile. It works with both countable and uncountable nouns. It's less formal than great deal.
  • Much: Used mainly with uncountable nouns in negative sentences or questions. "I don't have much time."
  • Many: Used with countable nouns. "I don't have many friends."
  • Plenty of: Means more than enough. "We have plenty of food."
  • A large amount of: Similar to great deal, but slightly more neutral and less common in speech.

Common Variations

  • A great deal: Used on its own, often referring to a transaction. "I got a great deal on this TV!" This means you got it at a good price.
  • A great deal of: This is the full version, used before uncountable nouns. "A great deal of effort went into this." This is the one we've been focusing on.

Memory Trick

💡

Imagine a giant wheel (great) rolling over a huge pile of stuff (deal). The wheel is so big, it covers a massive amount. That pile represents the 'lot' or 'large quantity'. So, a great deal is like a giant wheel crushing a massive pile – a HUGE amount!

Quick FAQ

Q. Can I use great deal with countable nouns?

A. Nope! It's strictly for uncountable things like time or effort. Think of it as measuring a quantity, not counting items. Using it with countable nouns sounds unnatural, like trying to measure sand with a bucket.

Q. Is great deal formal?

A. It leans towards the more formal side, but it's common enough to use in most situations. It's a safe bet for professional settings. But for super casual chats, 'a lot' might feel more relaxed. It's like wearing a nice shirt versus a t-shirt.

Q. What's the difference between a great deal and a great deal of?

A. Ah, a classic! A great deal of comes before an uncountable noun (e.g., a great deal of work). A great deal by itself usually refers to a good bargain or transaction (e.g., "That was a great deal!"). They sound similar but have different jobs.

نکات کاربردی

The phrase `great deal` is versatile but leans slightly formal. Use `a great deal of` primarily with uncountable nouns like `time`, `effort`, or `money`. Avoid it with countable nouns where `a lot of` or `many` are more appropriate. When used alone ('a great deal'), it typically signifies a bargain or good transaction.

🎯

The 'Of' Rule

If there is a noun right after, you MUST use 'of.' If it's at the end of the sentence, NEVER use 'of.'

⚠️

Countability Check

Before using it, ask: 'Can I count this?' If yes (like 'books'), don't use it. If no (like 'knowledge'), go ahead!

💡

Email Upgrade

Replace 'thanks a lot' with 'it means a great deal to me' in a thank-you email to sound more sincere and professional.

مثال‌ها

12
#1 Texting a friend about a movie

I watched that new sci-fi movie last night, it was amazing! I spent a `great deal` of time thinking about the ending afterwards.

I watched that new sci-fi movie last night, it was amazing! I spent a large amount of time thinking about the ending afterwards.

Emphasizes the significant amount of time spent contemplating the movie.

#2 Ordering food delivery

Wow, this pizza place charges a `great deal` for their large size!

Wow, this pizza place charges a lot for their large size!

Here, 'a great deal' refers to a large amount of money, implying it's expensive.

#3 Job interview (Zoom call)

I believe my experience in project management has prepared me for this role, as I've handled a `great deal` of responsibility in my previous position.

I believe my experience in project management has prepared me for this role, as I've handled a large amount of responsibility in my previous position.

Highlights the significant level of responsibility in a professional context.

#4 Instagram caption for a DIY project

Finally finished this bookshelf! It took a `great deal` of patience and a few trips to the hardware store, but I'm so happy with it!

Finally finished this bookshelf! It took a large amount of patience and a few trips to the hardware store, but I'm so happy with it!

Emphasizes the large quantity of patience required for the project.

#5 Discussing a difficult task

Learning to code felt like a `great deal` of work at first, but it gets easier.

Learning to code felt like a large amount of work at first, but it gets easier.

Focuses on the substantial amount of effort or work involved.

#6 Online shopping review

I got this laptop on sale for $500, which was a `great deal`!

I got this laptop on sale for $500, which was a good bargain!

This usage means a bargain or good price, a common standalone meaning of 'deal'.

#7 Explaining a complex topic

Understanding quantum physics requires a `great deal` of background knowledge.

Understanding quantum physics requires a large amount of background knowledge.

Stresses the significant quantity of knowledge needed.

#8 Mistake: Using with countable nouns

✗ I have a `great deal` of homework to do tonight.

I have a lot of homework to do tonight.

`Homework` is often treated as uncountable, but 'a lot of' is more natural here. If it were specific assignments, you'd use 'many'.

#9 Mistake: Overly formal for casual chat

✗ Hey, I ate a `great deal` of pizza last night!

Hey, I ate a lot of pizza last night!

Sounds a bit too stiff for a casual text about pizza. 'A lot' is much more common.

#10 Expressing gratitude

Thank you so much for your help, it meant a `great deal` to me during a tough time.

Thank you so much for your help, it meant a lot to me during a tough time.

Conveys deep emotional significance and importance.

#11 Humorous exaggeration

After that marathon gaming session, I think I consumed a `great deal` of caffeine and zero sleep.

After that marathon gaming session, I think I consumed a large amount of caffeine and zero sleep.

Humorously emphasizes the large quantity of caffeine consumed.

#12 Formal business proposal

Our analysis indicates that implementing this strategy will require a `great deal` of strategic planning and resource allocation.

Our analysis indicates that implementing this strategy will require a large amount of strategic planning and resource allocation.

Used in a formal context to describe the extensive planning needed.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with 'a great deal of' or 'many'.

The museum has ___________ ancient artifacts on display.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: many

Artifacts are countable, so we use 'many.'

Which sentence uses 'a great deal' correctly as an adverb?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: I like this book a great deal.

As an adverb at the end of a sentence, we don't use 'of.'

Choose the best response for a formal interview.

Interviewer: 'How much do you know about our company?'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: I know a great deal about your recent merger.

This is formal and uses 'a great deal' correctly to refer to knowledge (uncountable).

Match the phrase to the correct noun.

Which noun can follow 'a great deal of'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Time

Time is uncountable. Apples, cars, and ideas are countable.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Countable vs. Uncountable

A Great Deal Of (Uncountable)
Time Time
Money Money
Effort Effort
A Great Many (Countable)
People People
Books Books
Days Days

Where to use 'A Great Deal'

👔

Formal

  • Essays
  • Emails
  • Interviews
⚖️

Serious

  • News
  • Medicine
  • Law

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with 'a great deal of' or 'many'. جای خالی B1

The museum has ___________ ancient artifacts on display.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: many

Artifacts are countable, so we use 'many.'

Which sentence uses 'a great deal' correctly as an adverb? Choose B1

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: I like this book a great deal.

As an adverb at the end of a sentence, we don't use 'of.'

Choose the best response for a formal interview. dialogue_completion B1

Interviewer: 'How much do you know about our company?'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: I know a great deal about your recent merger.

This is formal and uses 'a great deal' correctly to refer to knowledge (uncountable).

Match the phrase to the correct noun. situation_matching A2

Which noun can follow 'a great deal of'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Time

Time is uncountable. Apples, cars, and ideas are countable.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

آموزش‌های ویدیویی

آموزش‌های ویدیویی این عبارت را در یوتیوب پیدا کنید.

سوالات متداول

14 سوال

No, 'people' is countable. Use 'a great many people' or 'a lot of people' instead.

Yes, significantly. It is preferred in business, academic, and formal writing.

Yes! You can have 'a great deal of trouble' or 'a great deal of pain.'

'A great deal' is slightly more formal and emphasizes a larger amount. 'A good deal' can also mean a bargain price.

It's redundant. 'A great deal' already means 'very much.' Just say 'a great deal.'

Yes, it is used in all major varieties of English, though it sounds slightly more 'proper' in British English.

Yes! 'A great deal more' is a common way to say 'much more.'

It might sound a bit formal, but it's fine if you're being serious or sincere.

Not in this specific phrase. Here, 'deal' means 'amount' or 'portion.'

Yes, water is uncountable, so this is perfect.

In American English, it's often a 'stop T' before the 'd' in 'deal.'

No, it is always 'a great deal,' never 'great deals' (unless you are talking about multiple business bargains).

Yes, 'a great deal less' is the formal version of 'much less.'

It's formal, but not 'old-fashioned.' It is still used every day in news and business.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

a good deal

similar

Almost the same as a great deal, but slightly less formal.

🔄

a lot of

synonym

A large amount.

🔗

a great many

specialized form

A large number.

🔗

considerably

similar

To a large degree.

🔗

much

similar

A large amount.

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