a relatively substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is considerable or significant in a comparative sense, indicating that it is substantial to a certain degree. Example: "The project received a relatively substantial amount of funding compared to previous years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This was predominantly due to a relatively substantial contribution by Signature D and a relative deficiency of Signature A in these cancers.

Cell

Mr. Huntsman's supporters have made a relatively substantial purchase of television ad time.

The New York Times

Among the smaller banks that did a relatively substantial number of deals, Thomas Weisel Partners finished at the bottom.

The New York Times

Even a 10-minute Chopin ballade for piano, let alone Messiaen's 75-minute "Turangalila Symphony," tries to grapple with, activate and organize a relatively substantial span of time.

The New York Times - Arts

This year's crop offers a relatively substantial batch of movies one enduringly great film ("The Wolf of Wall Street"), a few excellent movies, such as "12 Years a Slave" and "Nebraska," and some idiosyncratic ones ("Her," "American Hustle," and "Gravity").

The New Yorker

Mitt and Ann Romney sat for a relatively substantial interview with PARADE magazine in which he is confronted on differences with his surrogates and the G.O.P., his offshore accounts, and his taxes and tithing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Even in the show the photograph of "Niche," an especially appealing, relatively substantial Process piece, can remind you of the shanties and sheds and campsite-like arrangements in the paintings.

The New York Times - Arts

The work, at the Abingdon Theater Arts Complex, seems made for the small-regional-theater circuit, requiring not much of a set and offering two relatively substantial roles and two throwaways.

The New York Times

5 Because they often have relatively substantial functional consequences and a potentially high incidence in a population, single nucleotide polymorphisms can be very informative and are extensively used in studies of their association with risk for many diseases, including cancer.

Cancer Management and Research

The study has not only addressed the unique characteristics of the U.S. Virgin Islands but has addressed the cost-effectiveness of antenatal HIV screening for a lower high income country, a country with relatively high HIV prevalence yet relatively substantial resources available to be dedicated to health care.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Mr. Motta said the cost savings were relatively substantial, too, amounting to "a million dollars plus" for the company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relatively substantial", ensure the comparison point is clear. What is it substantial compared to?

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively substantial" without providing context or quantifiable data. Instead of saying "a relatively substantial increase", specify the percentage or amount of the increase to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively substantial" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing the noun that follows. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a relatively substantial" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is considerably large or significant in comparison to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific and journalistic contexts. It's important to provide context when using this phrase to ensure clarity about what is being compared. While alternatives like "a considerably large" or "a significantly large" exist, "a relatively substantial" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various formal and informal writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerably large

Emphasizes the largeness to a considerable degree.

a significantly large

Highlights the significance of the size.

a fairly large

Indicates a size that is more than average.

a quite considerable

Highlights the importance of something in quantity.

a markedly large

Suggests a noticeable level of greatness.

a reasonably sized

Suggests the size is within acceptable limits.

a moderately sized

Implies the size is neither too big nor too small.

an appreciably large

Indicates that something is significant and can be measured.

a respectably sized

Implies a satisfactory size or amount.

a tolerably ample

Suggests the amount is acceptable and sufficient.

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively substantial" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively substantial" to describe something significant in comparison to something else. For instance, "The project received "a relatively substantial" amount of funding compared to previous years."

What are some alternatives to "a relatively substantial"?

Alternatives include "a considerably large", "a significantly large", or "a fairly large" depending on the specific context.

Is "a relatively substantial" formal or informal?

"A relatively substantial" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news, academic and professional writing.

What does "a relatively substantial" imply about the item being described?

It implies that the item is larger, greater, or more significant than what might be expected or compared to a typical standard.