a substantial no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial no" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a strong or significant refusal or rejection of something. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee's response was a substantial no to the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A substantial no vote could weaken Mr. Morsi and undercut the constitution's legitimacy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For a substantial number, no reason is given.

The Guardian

CUT FAIRLY, NOT EQUALLY Education will take a substantial hit, no matter what — $1.4 billion in the governor's and the Senate's proposals, half that in the Assembly's.

The New York Times

If house prices actually fall, this boost will turn into a substantial drag.No wonder that the Federal Reserve is starting, belatedly, to fret about house prices.

The Economist

Fifteen artists were then asked to develop maquettes -- a process requiring a substantial effort with no guarantee of selection.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet, when asked whether their firms had taken "active steps" to capitalize on these trends, a substantial number said no.

The New York Times

If there is a substantial population that no longer affiliates with any religious tradition, however faintly they may have once done so, it is necessary to understand where their ethical moorings extend.

The Guardian - Opinion

Somalis, coastal people and Kenyan Muslims in general, also gave a uniform nod of approval.The Kikuyu and closely related tribes, who together add up to around 27% of the population, and are by far Kenya's most populous and richest group, voted solidly yes but with a substantial minority saying no, suggesting some debate within.

The Economist

A substantial portion - no one knows how much - of this is black money on which taxes haven't been paid.

BBC

Despite a substantial supporting literature, no studies have addressed these potential areas of speech programming disruption for speakers with ataxic and hypokinetic dysarthria.

Brain and Language

The difference is that the reward for the labor is deferred and indirect we have to make a substantial effort for no immediate gain first; only later do we reap the benefit.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial no", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being refused or rejected to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial no" when a simple "no" suffices. The adjective 'substantial' implies a significant impact or weight associated with the rejection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial no" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "no". According to Ludwig, this phrase indicates a strong or significant refusal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial no" is a grammatically sound phrase used to communicate a significant rejection or disagreement. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is best used when the refusal carries considerable weight or has important consequences. While grammatically correct, this phrase is rare. It’s most commonly found in news articles and reports as well as Science and Formal & Business writings. For alternative expressions, consider using "a significant refusal" or "a firm denial". Remember, “a substantial no” should be reserved for situations where the 'no' truly carries substantial weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant refusal

Replaces 'no' with 'refusal', emphasizing the act of rejecting something.

a considerable rejection

Substitutes both 'substantial' and 'no' for a more formal tone.

a major dissent

Uses 'dissent' to indicate a disagreement or opposition, carrying a stronger connotation.

a firm denial

Emphasizes the decisiveness of the rejection.

a resounding negative

Emphasizes the clarity and forcefulness of the rejection.

a categorical refusal

Indicates an unconditional and absolute rejection.

a weighty objection

Highlights the importance or seriousness of the opposition.

a notable dissent

Highlights that the dissent is worthy of attention.

a material disagreement

Emphasizes the importance of the disagreement.

a decided nay

Replaces 'no' with 'nay', adding a slightly archaic or formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial no" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial no" to indicate a significant or weighty refusal or rejection, as in "The proposal received "a substantial no" from the board due to financial concerns".

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial no"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant refusal", "a firm denial", or "a considerable rejection" to express a strong disagreement or rejection.

Is "a substantial no" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a substantial no" is grammatically correct. It uses the adjective "substantial" to modify the noun "no", indicating a significant level of rejection.

What is the difference between "a substantial no" and "a strong no"?

"A substantial no" implies that the rejection carries significant weight or consequence, while "a strong no" simply indicates a firm and decisive refusal.