a substantial item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an item that is significant or considerable in size, importance, or value. Example: "The report highlighted a substantial item that required immediate attention from the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It must have been a substantial item in the royal accounts because in Tudor times, ordinary wine was, in relative terms, around three and a half times more expensive than it is now.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You could use a more substantial item such as a sweater to wrap around more delicate items such as lingerie inside.

WikiHow

After a lethargic and at times undisciplined account of Schumann's Overture, Scherzo and Finale, the most substantial item was Christian Zacharias's studied account of the A minor piano concerto.

The Guardian - Music

Lords reform was the last substantial item in the Lib Dem locker even if, as anti-reformers keep saying, "it never registers on the doorstep".

The Guardian - Opinion

At one October meeting, he sat down and announced that items 1 through 15 on Mr. Hariri's agenda would not be discussed, one former minister recalled, sweeping away every substantial item.

The New York Times

But if you read the fine print in the above paragraph, you noticed the words "10 years". And indeed, virtually every substantial item will be done by 2016 (thanks to such fine folks as Meg Whitman '77, the late Peter Lewis '55, and a host of others).

Princeton University

There was substantial item non-response.

BMJ Open

Examination of the oblique rotated factor loadings demonstrated substantial item overlap.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

DIF analysis showed that all items scaled similarly for those with AMD and the controls, suggesting no substantial item bias.

BMC Ophthalmology

Although all households were included to calculate product sales, note that there were substantial item nonresponses in the information on the above characteristics (household income, education, and BMI).

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

This study revealed that non-healthcare costs accounted for 38.9% of the overall costs of the disease, with informal care being the most substantial item among non-healthcare costs (54.4% of this item).

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial item", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the item significant—size, cost, importance, or another relevant attribute.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial item" for trivial matters. Ensure the item genuinely warrants such a description to maintain credibility and avoid hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial item" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "item". This phrase typically identifies something concrete or abstract that is significant in size, amount, or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial item" is grammatically correct and usable, although relatively rare in common usage. According to Ludwig AI, it refers to an object or element that is significant in size, importance, or value. Its contexts range from scientific and medical research to news reporting, suggesting versatility across different domains. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the importance you wish to convey. Remember to consider alternative expressions like "a significant object" or "a considerable element" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant object

Replaces "item" with "object" implying a tangible thing of importance.

a critical element

Replaces "substantial" with "critical" stressing the importance and necessity of the element.

a considerable element

Substitutes "substantial" with "considerable" and "item" with "element", suggesting an important component.

a key element

Replaces "substantial" with "key", indicating a crucial and necessary component.

a major component

Substitutes "substantial" with "major" and "item" with "component", indicating a key part of something.

a noteworthy detail

Replaces "substantial item" with "noteworthy detail", focusing on the importance of the detail.

a prominent feature

Substitutes "item" with "feature", highlighting something noticeable and important.

a sizable asset

Replaces "item" with "asset", implying a valuable possession of considerable size.

a valuable asset

Replaces "substantial" with "valuable", shifting the focus to monetary worth.

a weighty matter

Replaces "item" with "matter", suggesting something serious and of consequence.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial item" to refer to something significant in size, value, or importance. For example, "The donation was "a substantial item" in our fundraising efforts".

What is a more formal way to say "a substantial item"?

A more formal alternative could be "a significant object" or "a considerable element", depending on the context. These options maintain the sense of importance but sound more professional.

Which is correct, "a substantial item" or "an substantial item"?

"A substantial item" is correct. "Substantial" begins with a consonant sound, so the indefinite article "a" is appropriate.

What can be considered "a substantial item" in financial terms?

In financial terms, "a substantial item" might refer to a large investment, a significant asset, or a considerable expense. It depends on the relative scale within the specific financial context.