a substantial face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a face that is significant in size, presence, or impact, possibly in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The artist captured the essence of the character with a substantial face that conveyed wisdom and strength."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Part 1 had its premiere in January, just before the company's home, the Birmingham Hippodrome, was closed for a substantial face lift.

The New York Times - Arts

As a consequence of the lack of power, the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval of the multivariate adjusted odds-ratio was 0.44 meaning that we cannot formally exclude that our trial could have missed a substantial face masks effectiveness; i.e. a relative reduction of the ILI attack rate of up to 56%.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tesco could face a substantial fine from regulators.

The Guardian - Business

Should the airline and passengers decide to prosecute, Ersson could face a substantial fine.

The Guardian

There is a substantial challenge facing views such as Reid's.

SEP

Should he lose, he faces a substantial fine and a stigma that could make obtaining visas and the like problematic.

The New York Times

It added that the company would be facing a substantial fine had it not already collapsed into administration in the wake of the Facebook data-harvesting scandal.

The Guardian

These bonds are issued at a substantial discount to face value, and the imputed interest accrues each year until the bonds can be redeemed at face value at maturity, generally in 20 or 25 years.

The New York Times

It's true that if they're sold on the open market, they would probably sell at a substantial discount from face value, so this would in effect be high-interest-rate financing.

The New York Times

It is noncallable and trades at a substantial discount to face value.

Forbes

In particular, Arg96 of pol ι undergoes a substantial conformational change (facing inward) upon nucleotide binding to form hydrogen bonds with the β- and γ-phosphates of the incoming nucleoside triphosphate.

Chemical Research in Toxicology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial face", consider whether "prominent", "notable", or another synonym might be more appropriate for your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial face" in contemporary writing where simpler alternatives exist; it can sound overly formal or archaic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial face" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" is an adjective modifying the noun "face". The adjective "substantial" indicates that the face is significant or considerable in some way.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial face" is grammatically correct but considered rare in contemporary English. Ludwig notes that it describes a face that is significant in size, presence, or impact, potentially metaphorically. While grammatically sound, modern writers may prefer synonyms like "prominent" or "notable" for greater clarity and impact. Use this phrase thoughtfully, considering your audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant visage

Replaces "substantial" with "significant" and "face" with "visage", increasing formality.

a considerable countenance

Substitutes "substantial" with "considerable" and "face" with "countenance", resulting in a more archaic tone.

a prominent facial appearance

Replaces "substantial" with "prominent" and rephrases "face" as "facial appearance" for clarity.

a striking facial feature

Shifts the focus to a particular feature rather than the whole face and emphasizes visual impact.

a noteworthy facial presence

Emphasizes the impact or impression of the face rather than its physical attributes.

an imposing facade

Uses "facade" metaphorically, suggesting a deceptive or constructed appearance.

a weighty aspect

Emphasizes the seriousness or importance conveyed by the face.

a memorable physiognomy

Replaces "face" with the more technical term "physiognomy", implying a study of facial features.

a robust facial structure

Focuses on the underlying bone structure of the face, implying strength or health.

a telling expression

Shifts the focus from the face itself to the expression it conveys.

FAQs

How can "a substantial face" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial face" to describe a face that is large, prominent, or conveys a sense of importance. For instance, "The statue depicted a leader with a substantial face." However, consider alternatives depending on the context.

What does "a substantial face" mean?

"A substantial face" suggests a face that is prominent, either in size or significance. It implies that the face is noteworthy or impactful in some way.

What are some alternatives to "a substantial face"?

Alternatives include "a prominent face", "a notable face", or "a striking face", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a prominent face" or "a substantial face"?

While both phrases can describe a noticeable face, "a prominent face" is generally more common and widely understood in modern English. "A substantial face" may sound more formal or archaic.