a substantial edge for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial edge for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing advantages or benefits that one party has over another in a competitive context. Example: "The new marketing strategy has given the company a substantial edge for attracting younger consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Take at least two to three points off of Senator Obama's poll numbers, and assume a substantial edge for Senator McCain in the breakdown of the undecided vote.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While Democrats hold a substantial edge in voter registration in California, Mr. Davis had trouble winning their loyalty.

The New York Times

However, Apple only provides "up to 2 million iTunes Plus songs" in comparison to Amazon's 3.3M, giving the latter company a substantial edge with its scope.

TechCrunch

In the field, regular forces maintain a substantial edge in firepower over the insurgents, who are mostly armed with rifles.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Spitzer, from a wealthy real estate family, has a substantial financial edge.

The New York Times

Our technological lead gives us a substantial competitive edge over any possible competitor.

Bplans

So here, he takes an almighty swing a full one, imparts a substantial outside-edge onto his pad, and then waits for the ball to krich into his leg-pole, just dislodging the bail.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is going to be a substantial business for us".

The New York Times

It is a substantial commitment for all concerned.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a substantial advance for the party in 2005.

The Guardian

The decision was a substantial victory for the Federal Trade Commission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial edge for", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'edge' refers to. Be specific about the advantage gained.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial edge for" when the advantage is marginal or insignificant. Ensure the 'edge' truly represents a notable difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial edge for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something provides a significant advantage or benefit to someone or something else. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial edge for" is used to express a significant advantage or benefit. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears mostly in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register. To enhance clarity, specify the nature of the 'edge' and avoid using the phrase when the advantage is minimal. Consider alternatives like "a significant advantage for" or "a considerable benefit for" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advantage for

Replaces 'substantial' with 'significant', emphasizing the importance of the advantage.

a considerable advantage for

Substitutes 'substantial' with 'considerable', highlighting the size or degree of the advantage.

a marked advantage for

Replaces 'substantial' with 'marked', indicating a noticeable or distinct advantage.

a notable benefit for

Shifts from 'edge' to 'benefit', focusing on the positive outcome or gain.

a significant lead for

Replaces 'edge' with 'lead', implying a position ahead of others.

a decisive advantage for

Substitutes 'substantial' with 'decisive', underlining the impact of the advantage on the final result.

a clear upper hand for

Replaces 'edge' with 'upper hand', connoting a position of control or dominance.

a sizable benefit for

Replaces 'substantial' with 'sizable', stressing the magnitude of the benefit.

a powerful advantage for

Substitutes 'substantial' with 'powerful', highlighting the strength of the advantage.

a strategic advantage for

Replaces 'substantial' with 'strategic', pointing to the advantage's importance in achieving a goal.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial edge for" to indicate a significant advantage one entity has over another. For example, "The new marketing strategy gave the company "a substantial edge for" attracting younger consumers."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial edge for"?

You can use alternatives such as "a significant advantage for", "a considerable benefit for", or "a decisive advantage for" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a substantial edge for" in formal writing?

While "a substantial edge for" is generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise or formal alternative like "a notable benefit for" or "a strategic advantage for" might be more suitable depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a substantial edge for" and "a slight edge for"?

"A substantial edge for" indicates a significant advantage, while "a slight edge for" suggests only a minor or marginal advantage. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the benefit.