a substantial connection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial connection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the degree of relevance or relationship between two entities, such as people, organizations, or concepts. Example: "The court found that there was a substantial connection between the defendant's actions and the harm caused to the plaintiff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"There is a substantial connection between my client and his family and this country," Mr. Harris said.

The New York Times - Books

The law's definition of a "US person" includes green-card holders and anyone with a substantial connection to the country, whatever that means.

The Economist

But under the new legislation, the government can confiscate property only if it first shows there is a substantial connection between the property and the crime "by a preponderance of the evidence," a higher burden than probable cause.

The New York Times

Three years later, Congress passed the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (CAFRA), requiring that federal prosecutors prove "a substantial connection between the property and the offense," and allowing people who can prove themselves "innocent owners" to keep their property.

The New Yorker

In urging the Supreme Court not to hear the case, the Justice Department said the Boumediene decision "did not overturn the court's prior rulings that the individual-rights provisions of the Constitution run only to aliens who have a substantial connection to our country and not to enemy combatants who are detained abroad".

The New York Times

A dangerous swing at a bouncing ball in the Tottenham area which found no connection with the ball and a substantial connection with Parker – who took the full force of Suarez's boot in his abdomen and fell in agony to the floor.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

However, our research also suggests that only a small proportion of firms see any substantial connection between the national living wage and other changes to taxes and national insurance contributions.

The Guardian

Both parties, increasingly bereft of any substantial connection with the broader community, continue to their own internal dynamics to determine who sits and draws a parliamentary salary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although substantially fewer genes (1,288) were differentially expressed at a messenger RNA (mRNA) level between the sham-treated and inflamed KCs overall (713 upregulated and 575 downregulated), STRING analysis for these genes showed a higher degree of connectivity between the genes within this list and a substantial network connection that did not appear to be present in the infected cells.

Cell Host and Microbe

All of these cases are examples of judicial engagement: The Court made a genuine, impartial effort in each case to determine whether the government's actions were constitutional, requiring the government to demonstrate a substantial evidentiary connection to a constitutionally legitimate end.

Huffington Post

Thus, they seem committed to the thesis that there is some sort of physically substantial connection, or link, between objects and their properties, and it is not at all clear what this could be.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial connection", ensure the context clearly defines what entities are connected and the nature of their relationship. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial connection" when the relationship is weak or undefined. This can mislead readers and weaken your argument. Instead, opt for more precise language that accurately reflects the strength and nature of the link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial connection" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in legal contexts, scientific research, and general discussions of relationships between entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial connection" is a phrase used to describe a notable and significant relationship between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives like "a significant association" or "a considerable link" exist, understanding the specific context is crucial for choosing the most appropriate phrasing. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the nature of the connection and the entities involved are clearly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant association

Replaces "connection" with "association", implying a statistical or correlational link.

a considerable link

Uses "link" instead of "connection", suggesting a direct relationship or causal pathway.

a strong tie

Emphasizes the strength of the connection.

a notable relationship

Highlights the visibility or importance of the relationship.

an important correlation

Specifically indicates a statistical relationship between two variables.

a meaningful correspondence

Suggests the connection has a relevant meaning or implication.

a definite correlation

Emphasizes the certainty of the statistical link.

a tangible link

Highlights the link to be real and not speculative.

a decided connection

Suggests the connection is clear and unquestionable.

a considerable impact

Focuses on the effect or influence resulting from the connection.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial connection" to indicate a significant relationship between two or more things. For example, "There is a substantial connection between diet and overall health."

What can I say instead of "a substantial connection"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant association", "a considerable link", or "a strong tie" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "substantial link" or "substantial connection"?

Both "substantial link" and "substantial connection" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "a substantial connection" and "a tenuous connection"?

"A substantial connection" indicates a strong, significant relationship, while "a tenuous connection" suggests a weak, uncertain link. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of relationship strength.