a substantial gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference or disparity between two things, such as knowledge, skills, or resources. Example: "There is a substantial gap in understanding between the two departments, which needs to be addressed for better collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's quite a substantial gap.

The Guardian

This was, of course, a substantial gap.

The Washington Post

Nevertheless, a substantial gap in the literature exists.

Princeton University

That is still a substantial gap, but it is closing.

The Economist

This shows a substantial gap in the clothing market for demand that needs to be filled.

The Guardian - Opinion

A substantial gap exists in our knowledge related to the understanding of these complications.

Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease

Glassdoor reports a substantial gap, with women making 28percentt less than men in comparable positions in computer programming.

University of California, Berkeley

There is a substantial gap in the literature regarding this interaction between inventory and warehouse management and its environmental impact.

International Journal of Production Economics

1. Prescription Drugs: Vote to kill an amendment to Medicare legislation that would close a substantial gap in coverage for elderly people with high drug costs.

The New York Times

The TUC findings also show that, despite recent moderate increases in average wages overall, disabled people in work are confronted with a substantial gap in pay.

The Guardian

A substantial gap separates the claims that the Court allows these appellees to advance from the rationale that the Court ultimately finds persuasive.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a substantial gap", ensure that the context clearly defines what two elements are being compared to reveal the gap. For example, "There is a substantial gap between the planned budget and the actual expenses."

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial gap" to describe minor differences. "Substantial" implies a significant and meaningful discrepancy, not a trivial variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial gap" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It describes a significant difference or deficiency between two or more entities or concepts. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial gap" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a significant difference or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and academia. While synonyms like "a considerable difference" or "a significant discrepancy" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly define the compared elements to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable difference

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable", emphasizing the magnitude of the difference.

a significant discrepancy

Substitutes "gap" with "discrepancy", highlighting an inconsistency or lack of alignment.

a marked contrast

Replaces "gap" with "contrast", focusing on the noticeable distinction between two things.

a wide disparity

Emphasizes the inequality or imbalance using "wide disparity" instead of "substantial gap".

a pronounced divide

Uses "pronounced divide" to suggest a clear and distinct separation or difference.

a notable deficiency

Highlights a lack or shortage using "notable deficiency" in place of "substantial gap".

a significant void

Substitutes "gap" with "void", emphasizing emptiness or absence.

a large chasm

Uses "large chasm" to describe a deep and significant division or difference.

a major shortfall

Highlights a deficiency or deficit using "major shortfall" instead of "substantial gap".

a considerable deficit

Uses "considerable deficit" to indicate a significant lack or shortage.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial gap" to highlight a significant difference or deficiency between two things. For example, "There is "a substantial gap" in resources between urban and rural schools."

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

"A substantial gap" indicates a significant and noticeable difference, while "a slight gap" suggests a small and potentially insignificant difference.

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

You can use alternatives like "a considerable difference", "a significant discrepancy", or "a marked contrast" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to have "a substantial gap"?

While often used to point out deficiencies, "a substantial gap" can also be used neutrally to describe differences that may not necessarily be negative. It depends on the specific context.