a substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial" is a valid and commonly used word in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is large in size, great in amount, or of significant importance. For example: "After months of hard work, the team had achieved a substantial amount of progress on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We made a substantial bid.

The Guardian

A substantial and satisfying volume.

Independent

This is a substantial upgrade".

The New York Times

A substantial irony enters here.

The New York Times

That is a substantial amount.

The Economist

This is a substantial grievance.

The Economist

A Substantial Drink Problem.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A substantial hole.

The New Yorker

We need a substantial break with tradition.

The Economist

He leaves behind a substantial musical legacy.

The New York Times

I want a substantial return on investment".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial", ensure the noun it modifies aligns with the intended meaning—whether size, amount, or importance. For example, "a substantial increase" (amount), "a substantial building" (size), or "a substantial argument" (importance).

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "significant", "considerable", or "appreciable" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial" functions as a determiner (article "a") followed by an adjective ("substantial"). According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in English to modify a noun, indicating that the noun is of considerable size, amount, or importance. The examples confirm its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that adds emphasis to the noun it modifies, highlighting its considerable size, amount, or importance. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources. To enhance writing, consider varying its use with synonyms like "significant" or "considerable". While "a substantial" is suitable for various contexts, be mindful of overuse in formal writing. Its strength lies in adding weight and credibility to descriptions across many different types of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant

Emphasizes importance or consequence rather than sheer size.

a considerable

Highlights the amount or degree to which something exists.

a large

Focuses primarily on physical size or numerical quantity.

a sizable

Similar to "large" but often implies a more notable quantity.

a meaningful

Highlights the importance or purpose behind something.

a noteworthy

Emphasizes that something is deserving of attention or recognition.

a respectable

Suggests that something is of a good or acceptable standard.

an appreciable

Indicates that something is noticeable or measurable.

a tangible

Suggests something is real or concrete, often implying a benefit.

a major

Emphasizes the great importance or seriousness of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial" to describe something of considerable size, amount, or importance. For example, "The company made a substantial profit this year."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant", "a considerable", or "a large" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a substantial" or "substantial"?

Using "a substantial" implies you are referring to a specific instance or quantity of something. "Substantial" alone can describe a general quality. For instance, "a substantial amount of rain" versus "substantial evidence".

What's the difference between "a substantial" and "a significant"?

While similar, "a substantial" often emphasizes size or amount, whereas "a significant" stresses importance or consequence. A "substantial donation" is large in amount, while a "significant contribution" has great impact.