a substantial narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a narrative that is significant in length, depth, or importance. Example: "The author crafted a substantial narrative that explored the complexities of human relationships over several generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a substantial narrative achievement: a show whose architecture is as much a star as its actors.

The New Yorker

There already exists a substantial narrative that views the NFL's recent rule changes designed to protect the quarterback, the League's most marketable commodity, as the emasculation of the game's defense and thus, at least to some degree, its very character.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

What Ms. Smith has done is to write the first substantial narrative that captures what daily life was really like in the inner sanctum of the White House during the Kennedy years, with Jack and Jackie appropriately cast as the lead actors in the intriguing drama.

The New York Times - Books

But Heydrich's icily demonic character necessarily dominates the book, and his pivotal roles in the key atrocities of the era, from Kristallnacht to the final solution itself, take up a substantial part of the narrative.

The Guardian - Books

From Marceline shredding on a guitar, Lemonhope and his harp, Finn and Jake's perpetual turning-life-into-a-song, the music of Adventure Time is absolutely essential to the tone of the show as well as making up a substantial portion of the narrative.

Vice

A substantial number of these oral narratives were preserved, thanks to the efforts of friars, priests, and chroniclers as well as native historians who learned to read and write, and the narratives' themes, characters, topics, and even metaphors have been periodically adopted by Latin American literature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Historical narratives have a substantial interpretive component, and involve substantial construction of the past.

SEP

In this context, any form of narrative feedback runs a substantial risk of identifying individuals.

The Guardian

However, we've recently seen signs of a substantial shift in the way popular culture takes on the trans narrative.

Vice

Here is a short narrative on the feelings surrounding returning home after such a substantial journey.

Huffington Post

Clinical narrative is traditionally difficult to process because it may often contain ambiguities, word compounds and a substantial body of synonyms to describe otherwise basic concepts.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting a "substantial narrative", ensure that the plot is well-developed, the characters are compelling, and the themes are thoroughly explored to create a rich and engaging reading experience.

Common error

Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive details that don't contribute to the core message of your "substantial narrative". Focus on including elements that enhance the story and deepen the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial narrative" functions as a noun phrase, where 'substantial' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'narrative'. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is used to describe the nature or quality of a story, account, or series of events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial narrative" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich phrase used to describe a story or account of considerable depth, detail, or significance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Scientific, and Encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure your narrative is well-developed and avoid overwhelming the audience with unnecessary details. Alternatives include "a significant story" or "a considerable account".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant story

Replaces 'substantial' with 'significant', emphasizing the importance of the narrative.

a considerable account

Replaces 'narrative' with 'account' and 'substantial' with 'considerable', focusing on the detailed and noteworthy aspect.

a detailed story

Focuses on the level of detail within the narrative.

an extensive account

Highlights the breadth and scope of the narrative.

a comprehensive story

Emphasizes the completeness and all-encompassing nature of the narrative.

a lengthy tale

Focuses on the extended duration of the narrative.

a profound narrative

Emphasizes the depth and insightfulness of the narrative.

a weighty narrative

Highlights the importance and seriousness of the narrative.

a remarkable story

Focuses on the exceptional or noteworthy aspect of the narrative.

a meaningful account

Emphasizes the significance and purpose of the narrative.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a substantial narrative" in my writing?

Use "a substantial narrative" when you want to refer to a story or account that is significant in length, depth, or importance. It implies that the narrative has considerable detail and substance.

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial narrative"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant story", "a considerable account", or "a detailed story" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a substantial narrative" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial narrative" is appropriate for formal writing. The word 'substantial' indicates that the narrative is significant or of considerable importance, making it suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts.

What distinguishes "a substantial narrative" from a simple story?

"A substantial narrative" implies more than just a simple sequence of events; it suggests a complex, well-developed story with considerable depth and detail, unlike a basic or brief account.