a substantial lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something has a significant advantage over others, often in competitive situations like sports, business, or elections. Example: "The candidate maintained a substantial lead in the polls as the election date approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has a substantial lead in the state of denial.

The New York Times

South Carolina polls show Mr. Bush with a substantial lead.

The New York Times

Even though it had the breeze, Alinghi could not build a substantial lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Every time the Wolfpack built a substantial lead, Syracuse fought back.

The New York Times - Sports

So it's worth considering why Natalie won with a substantial lead.

The Guardian - Opinion

By all accounts, Mr. Gore has a substantial lead over Mr. Bradley.

The New York Times

Early polls showed a substantial lead for Labour only among the 18-24 agroupoup.

The Guardian

But in Iowa — home to the Feb. 1 caucuses — Cruz has a substantial lead.

The Washington Post

Without exception, the polls show the PD and its allies with a substantial lead.

The Economist

Nokia also held onto a substantial lead in the smartphone market worldwide.

The New York Times

Polls show Mr. Gbagbo with a substantial lead over all 14 challengers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial lead", ensure the context clearly defines what the lead is in relation to (e.g., in votes, market share, points).

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial lead" when the actual difference is marginal. 'Substantial' implies a clearly significant and impactful advantage, so ensure the data supports this claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial lead" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a significant advantage or margin over others. It often modifies other nouns, providing context about the degree of dominance, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial lead" is a commonly used phrase that indicates a significant advantage. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, especially in news, business, and politics. The phrase is considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the advantage is indeed significant to avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "a considerable advantage" or "a significant margin" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable advantage

Replaces "lead" with "advantage", focusing on the beneficial position rather than the numerical difference.

a significant margin

Substitutes "lead" with "margin", emphasizing the size of the difference between competitors.

a commanding head start

Replaces "substantial" with "commanding" and "lead" with "head start", highlighting the initial advantage.

a significant advantage

Replaces substantial with significant. It emphasizes the importance and impact of the advantage.

a decisive upper hand

Changes "lead" to "upper hand", focusing on the power dynamic and control gained.

a considerable head start

Replaces substantial with considerable and lead with head start. It emphasizes the advantage gained early on, highlighting the initial momentum.

a noteworthy edge

Replaces "substantial" with "noteworthy" and "lead" with "edge", emphasizing a clear but potentially smaller advantage.

a marked superiority

Substitutes "lead" with "superiority", highlighting a greater level of dominance or skill.

a dominating position

Replaces lead with position. It highlights the supremacy and control exerted in the current placement or situation.

a comfortable advantage

Replaces "substantial" with "comfortable", suggesting an easily maintained lead.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial lead" to describe a significant advantage in various contexts. For example: "The incumbent candidate holds "a substantial lead" in the polls."

What are some synonyms for "a substantial lead"?

Alternatives include "a considerable advantage", "a significant margin", or "a commanding head start" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial lead" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial lead" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in reports, articles, or analyses where you need to objectively describe a significant advantage. The phrase is commonly found in news and business contexts.

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

"A slight lead" indicates a small, possibly precarious advantage, while "a substantial lead" indicates a much larger, more secure advantage. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the difference you're describing.