a substantial hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable amount of influence, assistance, or involvement in a situation. Example: "She played a substantial hand in the project's success, guiding the team through every challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His presence there will represent a new level of cooperation between the often fractious divisions of the parent AOL Time Warner and further evidence that under the company's new management structure, Time Inc. expects to have a substantial hand in determining AOL's editorial direction.

The New York Times

The tune is nominated for Song of the Year at this year's Grammy Awards and played a substantial hand in establishing Smith's solo career.

Vice

None of the patients exhibited a substantial hand or arm tremor during testing.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With your additions of choice, a simple flatbread can become a quite substantial hand-held "dish".

The New York Times

Right now, an hour and a half before the doors open, Blyss stands in front of an empty house, a cordless microphone in his substantial hand.

The Washington Post

From a young age, he exhibited the substantial hand strength required for finger billiards.

Wikipedia

"Now, with this unexpected act of God, those same communities, quite ready to point a finger at government shortcomings, are placed in the difficult position of having to reach out to government for a substantial helping hand," said Paula A. Franzese, a law professor at Seton Hall University who has written extensively about gated communities.

The New York Times

That's a big change from a year ago, when GM and Chrysler both wound up filing for bankruptcy and getting a substantial helping hand from the U.S. government.

Forbes

Ulnar nerve compression causes less compromise to the ulnar nerve, but also results in substantial hand impairments [ 11].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

20 Likewise, Pickering and colleagues 36 discovered that Tanzanian women had substantial hand recontamination following observed typical household activities, suggesting that environmental contamination with feces was pervasive.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

MEIN TAGEBUCH, 1998-2000 (MY DIARY .By Helmut Kohl.Droemer; 352 pages; DM44.90AS THE jacket of this book showing the author's substantial hands on a near-empty appointments diary makes clear, this is not a genuine journal, as the title suggests, but rather a highly subjective re-telling of events by an embittered, vengeful, vainglorious old man.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial hand", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to influence, assistance, or a physical object. Clarity prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial hand" in overly casual or informal situations. Simpler phrasing like "significant help" or "major role" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial hand" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "hand". Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase describes a significant degree of influence, involvement, or assistance in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial hand" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, indicating a significant level of influence or contribution. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its appropriateness across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. While relatively rare in overall usage, the phrase can be a powerful way to highlight the importance of someone or something's involvement. Consider alternatives like "a significant role" or "a major influence" depending on the context. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the nature of the influence being described to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant role

Replaces "hand" with "role", focusing on the part someone plays in an event or project.

a major influence

Emphasizes the impact or effect someone or something has.

a considerable contribution

Highlights the act of giving or providing something of value.

a large part

A more general phrase that indicates a significant portion or share.

a pivotal role

Stresses the importance of the role as being crucial or decisive.

a key factor

Focuses on the essential element that contributes to an outcome.

a prominent position

Highlights the visibility and importance of someone's involvement.

a leading role

Implies taking charge or guiding efforts in a particular endeavor.

an important function

Emphasizes the specific duty or activity that is vital.

a vital element

Indicates that something is essential and necessary for success.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial hand" to describe someone having a significant influence or playing a major role in something. For example, "She played a substantial hand in the company's success."

What's the difference between "a substantial hand" and "a significant role"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "a substantial hand" often implies active involvement or influence, whereas "a significant role" simply denotes importance to an event or project, regardless of whether active involvement occurs.

What are some alternatives to "a substantial hand"?

Alternatives include "a major influence", "a considerable contribution", or "a significant role", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it correct to say someone had "a substantial hand" in a negative outcome?

Yes, "a substantial hand" can be used in both positive and negative contexts, indicating significant involvement regardless of the outcome's valence. For example, "His mismanagement played a substantial hand in the company's downfall."