a substantial boost

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial boost" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a significant or considerable increase or improvement in something. Example: The new government policy is expected to provide a substantial boost to the economy, creating thousands of new jobs and increasing consumer spending.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is not likely to provide a substantial boost to growth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Bush energy plan could give a substantial boost to the industry.

The New York Times

Our careers all began, or were given a substantial boost by, involvement in productions commissioned by S4C.

The Guardian

The president's package could provide a substantial boost to jobs, but only if it gets sufficient money.

The New York Times

There is, however, little evidence to support the claim that reforming it would produce a substantial boost for economic growth.

The Guardian

We also understand - probably better than anyone else - that the entire system needs a substantial boost in investment.

The Guardian

If Turkey were to honour its obligations, a substantial boost to its EU membership would naturally follow.

The Economist

The amount described would have been a substantial boost to RSA's revenues – totalling about a third of the revenue for the relevant division in the previous year.

The Guardian - Tech

The bank said: Apple's new A7 is the first mobile application processor to use Arm's v8 64 bit instruction set, providing a substantial boost to performance.

The Guardian - Business

To developers who came earlier to Beacon, the arrival of Scenic Hudson and Dia has been a tremendous vindication, as well as a substantial boost.

The New York Times

Florida anglers now spend nearly ten million dollars a year trying to catch it, giving a substantial boost to the local economy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial boost", ensure the context clearly defines what is being improved or increased. For example, specify which sector of the economy will receive the boost or which skill is being enhanced.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial boost" when the actual impact is minimal or uncertain. Overstating the effect can undermine credibility. Quantify the boost whenever possible to provide concrete evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial boost" primarily functions as a noun phrase that acts as a direct object or subject complement, indicating a significant increase or improvement. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial boost" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a significant increase or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While maintaining a neutral register, it serves to emphasize positive impacts and is well-suited for both formal and informal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the beneficiary of the boost and avoid overstating the actual effect to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant increase

Focuses on the increase aspect, using a different adjective.

a considerable improvement

Highlights the improvement aspect, differing in noun choice.

a major upturn

Uses 'upturn' to emphasize a positive change or rise.

a marked enhancement

Emphasizes the 'enhancement' aspect, indicating a clear improvement.

a sizable addition

Highlights the increase in quantity or amount.

a notable surge

Implies a sudden and significant increase.

a pronounced leap

Suggests a large and obvious jump or advancement.

a strong impetus

Shifts the focus to the driving force or motivation provided.

a considerable stimulus

Suggests an action that encourages activity or growth.

a tremendous fillip

Uses a less common word ('fillip') to denote something that acts as a stimulus or boost.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial boost" to describe a significant increase or improvement. For example, "The new marketing campaign gave "a substantial boost" to sales."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial boost"?

Alternatives include "a significant increase", "a considerable improvement", or "a major upturn", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial boost" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial boost" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business or academic contexts, as it clearly and professionally communicates a significant positive change.

What's the difference between "a substantial boost" and "a slight increase"?

"A substantial boost" indicates a significant and noticeable improvement or increase, while "a slight increase" suggests a small and often barely perceptible change. The key difference is the magnitude of the effect.