large or important

In colloquial speech it’s perfectly normal to refer to something as a “big problem,” but when people create analogous expressions in writing, the result is awkward. Don’t write “this is a large issue for our firm” when what you mean is “this is an important issue for our firm.” Size and intensity are not synonymous.

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• swam vs swum
• seam vs seem
• woman vs women
• soar vs sore
• buttox vs buttocks
• appauled vs appalled
• extend vs extent
• submittal vs submission
• dateline vs deadline
• absorbtion vs absorption

Definitions

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• n  a garment size for a large person
• a  above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
  a large city
  a large sum
  a big (or large) barn
  a large family
  a large number of newspapers
  large areas of the world
• s  fairly large or important in effect; influential
  played a large role in the negotiations
• s  ostentatiously lofty in style
  a man given to large talk
• s  generous and understanding and tolerant
  a large and generous spirit
  a large heart
• s  conspicuous in position or importance
  he's very large in financial circles
• s  having broad power and range and scope
  taking the large view
  a large effect
  a large sympathy
• s  in an advanced stage of pregnancy
• r  at a distance, wide of something (as of a mark)
• r  with the wind abaft the beam
  a ship sailing large
• r  in a boastful manner

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• a  of great significance or value
  important people
  the important questions of the day
• a  important in effect or meaning
• a  of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
• s  having authority or ascendancy or influence
  an important official
• s  having or suggesting a consciousness of high position
  recited the decree with an important air
  took long important strides in the direction of his office

News & Articles

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• Large police presence gathers near West Knoxville home
  A large group of Knoxville police officers has gathered near a home on Cate Avenue off Sutherland Avenue in West Knoxville.
  June 22, 2013 - WBIR-TV Knoxville
• Large collection of fireworks force evacuation in Puyallup
  PUYALLUP, Wash. -- The discovery of a large stash of illegal fireworks prompted the evacuation of several apartments in Puyallup Thursday evening. It happened at the River Trail Apartments on East Main Street.   The multi-agency investigation included officers from the Puyallup Tribal Police Department, Puyallup Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff's Office, and ATF.   It began a few days ...
  June 21, 2013 - KING5 Seattle
• LARGE DUPLEX FOR RENT, 4 BDRM
  LARGE DUPLEX FOR RENT, 4 BDRM, 2 bath, 2 car garage, a/c, $950. per month, 1 year lease. Good references required. 684-9160. 25-2cc
  June 19, 2013 - Buffalo Bulletin

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• Most important game: Virginia Tech
  Our “most important game series” continues today with the Hokies: Virginia Tech Most important game: Sept. 26 at Georgia Tech Why it’s important: Because this is the first real chance for the Hokies to prove they’re good enough to be relevant in the conference race again. After the most disappointing season in 20 years, Virginia Tech will start its quest for redemption in a meaningful ...
  June 13, 2013 - ESPN Blogs
• Video: Most important game -- Missouri
  Missouri's most important game in 2013 is the Nov. 2 home game against Tennessee.
  June 13, 2013 - ESPN Blogs
• Most important game: Virginia Tech
  Our “most important game series” continues today with the Hokies: Virginia Tech Most important game: Sept. 26 at Georgia Tech Why it’s important: Because this is the first real chance for the Hokies to prove they’re good enough to be relevant in the conference race again. After the most disappointing season in 20 years, Virginia Tech will start its quest for redemption in a meaningful ...
  June 13, 2013 - ESPN Blogs