To a significant extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To a significant extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or applicable to a large degree or proportion. Example: "The new policy has improved employee satisfaction to a significant extent, leading to higher productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To a significant extent, he has.

The New York Times

To a significant extent, "Jimmy P". is that movie.

The New Yorker

To a significant extent, the new atheism is the expression of a liberal moral panic.

The Guardian

To a significant extent, deflationary expectations are now baked into the Japanese economy.

The New York Times

"To a significant extent, it is caused by the changes in the world -- not by our wishes, but by the fact that the world has changed," he said.

The New York Times

To a significant extent, the fact that Mary Engle Pennington.

Huffington Post

Butalia relies to a significant extent on this canon.

The New York Times - Books

The position of the clergy reflects, to a significant extent, popular feelings.

The New Yorker

Of course the BBC has been to a significant extent the source of its own misfortunes.

The Guardian

He added that actors are to a significant extent "victims of what people choose to put on our TVs".

The Guardian - Opinion

Xenophon said the government had agreed "to a significant extent" but water policy still needed to be determined.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to a significant extent", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what is being significantly affected. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "to a significant extent" in sentences where a simpler adverb like "greatly" or "considerably" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a significant extent" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or extent to which a statement is true or applicable. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Wiki

0.01%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to a significant extent" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is true or applicable to a considerable degree. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business. While interchangeable with phrases like "to a large degree" and "to a considerable extent", it's important to avoid overuse in favor of simpler alternatives when appropriate. This ensures clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a considerable degree

Replaces "extent" with "degree", maintaining the meaning of a substantial amount.

to a large degree

Emphasizes the magnitude using "large" instead of "significant".

to a considerable extent

Synonymously replaces "significant" with "considerable".

to a great degree

Uses "great" to convey the substantial impact or influence.

to a substantial degree

Synonymously replaces "significant" with "substantial".

to a notable degree

Highlights that the extent is worth mentioning or noticing.

to a major extent

Indicates the extent is of high importance or influence.

to a marked extent

Implies the extent is clearly visible or easily observed.

to a noticeable extent

Implies that the extent is easily observed or detected.

to an appreciable extent

Suggests the extent is measurable or quantifiable.

FAQs

How can I use "to a significant extent" in a sentence?

Use "to a significant extent" to indicate that something is true or applicable to a large degree. For example, "The new policy has improved employee satisfaction to a significant extent".

What are some alternatives to "to a significant extent"?

You can use alternatives like "to a large degree", "to a considerable extent", or "substantially depending on the context.

Is it better to use "to a significant extent" or "significantly"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "To a significant extent" is an adverbial phrase, while "significantly" is an adverb. Use the option that fits more naturally into your sentence.

What's the difference between "to a significant extent" and "to a great extent"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, both indicating a considerable degree. However, "to a great extent" might imply a slightly higher degree than "to a significant extent", but the difference is subtle.