Big vs. large

No difference, really, but "big house" isn't used in AmE, because it's an idiom for prison.

I would say "He lives in a big house." It wouldn't have occurred to me at all that anyone would avoid the phrase -- except possibly gangsters.

No, it's not something commonly said anymore, but it's the first thing I think of when I hear "big house". The idiom does use the definite article.

I don't often hear big/large house. I think mansion or mcmansion are more common here.

I'm just being nitpicky, there's nothing wrong with saying big/large house.

Hi,

Are big and large interchangeable in the sentence here?

His room(bedroom) is large/big.

Thanks.

All of these are fine. large and big are interchangeable in these.

His [room / bedroom / kitchen] is [large / big].

I think big is more commonly used than large in general.

big man, big house, big store, big car, big truck, big problem, big bank account, big fight,

'big money', 'big game', 'big deal', 'big trouble'

CJ

CalifJimbig man, big house, big store, big car, big truck, big problem, big bank account, big fight,
'big money', 'big game', 'big deal', 'big trouble'

Hi CJ,

Can I use large instead of big in those above? Thanks.

AnonymousCan I use large instead of big in those above?

No, not for all of them. Some of them sound strange with "large".

large problem - No.

large fight - No.

large money, large game, large deal, large trouble - No.

You might hear "large" with the others occasionally, but they can sound strange that way.

CJ

Hi CJ,

CalifJimYou might hear "large" with the others occasionally, but they can sound strange that way.

Do you mean these can sound strange:

large man, large house, large store, large car, large truck, large bank account

Thanks.