a substantial appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has a significant or notable look or presence, often in contexts like art, design, or legal matters. Example: "The sculpture had a substantial appearance that captivated everyone in the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The larger scale [concrete block] units and simplicity of detailing give it a substantial appearance which I felt appropriate to this scheme". Accompanied by a sparing palette of stained brown timber and tubular steel balustrades, the two-layer block-work construction forms a substantial armature that has stood the test of time.

The Guardian - Arts

But he wants a substantial appearance fee if we beat Nigeria".

BBC

"Per Manum" featured a substantial appearance by Duchovny who had elected not to return to the show as a full-time main character following the ending of season seven.

Wikipedia

"The Gift" featured a substantial appearance of Duchovny who had elected not to return to the show as a full-time main character following the ending of season seven.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There was uniformity, too, on the redesigned Porsche Boxster, now with a more substantial appearance resembling its big brother, the 911.

The New York Times

DANIEL MONTROY, the architect for the project, said the owners chose weathered brick for the exterior instead of replicating the 1920's wood frame structure, because they wanted the new store to blend in with Village Hall across the street and to create a more substantial appearance on that section of the busy street.

The New York Times

(Indeed, the so-called "elite sports" funding provided to our best athletes – already in receipt of substantial appearance fees – by a 28 per cent levy on a national lottery engaged in disproportionately by the poorest is socialism in reverse: to each according to his ability, from each according to his need).

Independent

This Messiaen and Bruckner programme came at the end of a short European tour with the LSO and marked Rattle's third substantial appearance with the orchestra this season – more than some music directors manage when they are already in post.

The Guardian - Music

In practice, person re-identification is challenging due to the substantial appearance shift caused by view change.

Neurocomputing

The fact that Sampras received substantial appearance money for Pilot Pen -- perhaps as much as $200,000 -- obviously did nothing to discourage him from coming.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a counterpoint moment on the same day that Ratko Mladic, the former military leader of the Bosnian Serbs and accused war criminal, made his first substantial appearance at The Hague tribunal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial appearance" when you want to emphasize that something has a significant or prominent look, often implying that it's impressive or noteworthy. Consider the context to ensure the adjective 'substantial' accurately conveys the intended meaning of importance and not just size.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial appearance" solely to describe large physical dimensions. While 'substantial' can imply size, it more accurately conveys significance or importance. If you mean large in size, consider alternatives like 'large', 'sizeable' or 'considerable' to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial appearance" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "appearance". It is used to describe something that possesses a significant or noteworthy visual presence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial appearance" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something with a significant or prominent visual presence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is suitable for written English, typically employed in contexts such as news, media and wiki articles, according to the examples found. While not overwhelmingly common, it effectively conveys that something possesses a noteworthy look. When writing, be mindful to use 'substantial' accurately, implying significance rather than just physical size, and consider alternatives like ""a significant presence"" or ""a notable presence"" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant presence

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the appearance.

a notable presence

Highlights the quality of being easily noticed or remarkable.

a considerable visual impact

Focuses on the strong effect the appearance has on the viewer.

a striking visual presence

Indicates an appearance that is impressive and attention-grabbing.

a commanding appearance

Suggests an appearance that exudes authority or dominance.

a remarkable visual aspect

Highlights the noteworthiness of a particular visual characteristic.

a formidable visual impression

Implies the appearance creates a sense of awe or intimidation.

an imposing physical stature

Focuses on the impressive size or build contributing to the appearance.

a weighty visual attribute

Highlights the importance and influence of the visual feature.

a prominent aesthetic quality

Focuses on the noticeable and appealing characteristic of the appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial appearance" to describe something that has a significant or impressive look. For example, "The building's design gave it a substantial appearance, making it stand out in the city skyline."

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial appearance"?

Some alternatives include "a significant presence", "a notable presence", or "a considerable visual impact" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a substantial appearance" or "a significant appearance"?

Both "a substantial appearance" and "a significant appearance" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Substantial" implies a tangible or prominent look, while "significant" emphasizes the importance or impact of the appearance.

In what contexts is "a substantial appearance" most appropriate?

"A substantial appearance" is suitable in contexts where you want to highlight that something has a prominent, noteworthy, or imposing look. This can apply to architecture, design, or even a person's presence in a formal setting.