a substantial liability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial liability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, law, or risk assessment to describe a significant obligation or potential loss. Example: "The company reported a substantial liability on its balance sheet, raising concerns among investors about its financial health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

According to the Guardian, the sale was underwritten at an optimistic price of 330 pence but that potential buyers were only prepared to pay 320 pence, leaving the underwriters with a substantial liability of 10 pence for each of the 65 million shares.

The New York Times

Under Uniform Threshold spread, we observed that this naive (and fast) modified greedy approach frequently outperformed traditional greedy: for Linear Threshold spread it is a substantial liability.

Computational Social Networks

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Judge Denounces Cramped Seating As if the airlines didn't have enough to worry about, the long-simmering issue of deep-vein thrombosis keeps raising its head, with a growing threat of substantial liability.

The New York Times

Major depression has a substantial genetic liability that's even stronger for bipolar disorder.

University of California, Berkeley

The peacock tail is a substantial survival liability; surviving despite that is precisely what the peacock is advertising.

The Guardian - Books

the terms of the contract provide for a substantial termination liability on the part of the United States.

Cornell University

There's a chance that the stations will be a substantial financial liability for Tesla, which today announced that it needs to raise more money to keep operating.

MIT Technology Review

Seagate management had been seeking a way to realize the value of its assets but was unable to distribute the Veritas stake to its own shareholders without setting off a substantial tax liability for them.

The New York Times

Pindar told the Guardian that the device "was a very common pre-public flotation practice 25 years ago", but he had saved nothing in the event: "Dissolving the trusts created a substantial tax liability which I paid in full and on time".

The Guardian - Business

The primary headaches, migraine with (MA) and without aura (MO) and cluster headache, all carry a substantial genetic liability.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

"The City Council anguished over this decision, and the only motivation (for condemnation) is that it would represent a major breach of contract with the developer, no matter how they (council members) felt, and a substantial financial liability," Bobb said in an interview.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial or legal matters, quantify the liability whenever possible to provide a clearer understanding of its magnitude.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a substantial liability" without providing sufficient evidence or context. Accurate and balanced representation is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial liability" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "liability". It typically identifies a significant financial, legal, or ethical burden. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a substantial liability" correctly denotes a significant obligation, debt, or potential loss, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it accurately communicates a considerable burden. When using this phrase, quantify the liability when possible for clarity. While acceptable across various sources, it is crucial to avoid overstating its impact without sufficient evidence. Consider alternatives like "a considerable obligation" or "a significant encumbrance" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable obligation

Emphasizes the binding nature and potential weight of the liability.

a significant encumbrance

Highlights the restrictive or burdensome aspect of the liability.

a major disadvantage

Focuses on the negative impact or drawback associated with the liability.

a large debt

Specifically refers to a financial liability that is significant in amount.

a weighty responsibility

Conveys the serious and demanding nature of the liability.

a severe impediment

Stresses the hindering or obstructive effect of the liability.

a notable burden

Underscores the onerous or oppressive quality of the liability.

a considerable risk

Shifts the focus to the potential for future loss or harm.

a sizable exposure

Highlights the vulnerability or susceptibility to loss associated with the liability.

a critical weakness

Emphasizes the inherent vulnerability or deficiency caused by the liability.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial liability" to describe a significant debt, obligation, or risk. For example, "The company faces "a substantial liability" due to the lawsuit.".

What's the difference between "a substantial liability" and "a minor liability"?

"A substantial liability" refers to a significant or considerable obligation, while "a minor liability" indicates a smaller, less impactful obligation. The key difference is the magnitude and potential consequences.

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

You can use alternatives like "a considerable obligation", "a significant encumbrance", or "a major disadvantage" depending on the context.

Is "a substantial liability" always a negative thing?

Yes, "a substantial liability" typically refers to a negative situation involving debt, risk, or obligation. It implies a significant burden or potential loss.