a substantial part of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial part of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a significant portion or amount of something. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as discussing a large portion of a population, a significant aspect of a topic, or a considerable amount of a resource. Example: A substantial part of the city's budget is allocated towards improving public transportation. In this sentence, "a substantial part of" refers to a significant amount or portion of the city's budget being used for improving public transportation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has already raised a substantial part of this.

The Guardian

Therein lies a substantial part of the problem.

The New York Times

These funds own a substantial part of the stock market.

The Guardian

It was also a substantial part of a column.

The Guardian - Opinion

A substantial part of Europe consists of suburban landscapes.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Confined goats spend a substantial part of the day feeding.

Journal of Dairy Science

Marble quarries are a substantial part of Dorset's history.

The New York Times

A substantial part of which, of course, revolves around the fine art of sampling.

The Guardian - Music

A substantial part of that past has been sitting in a warehouse for 10 years.

The New York Times - Travel

Photographs, almost all black and white, make up a substantial part of this exhibition.

The New York Times

"A substantial part of Skype's current user base is from PCs.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial part of" when you want to emphasize that a portion is large enough to be noteworthy or significant, but not necessarily the majority. It's appropriate for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial part of" when the portion you're describing is actually quite small or insignificant. Overusing the phrase can weaken its impact and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial part of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun represents a significant portion or amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial part of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a noteworthy portion or amount of something. It's considered grammatically correct and is frequently used in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While similar phrases like "a significant portion of" and "a considerable fraction of" can be used as alternatives, "a substantial part of" is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the significance of the portion without necessarily implying that it's the majority. It's important to use the phrase judiciously to avoid overstating the importance of smaller portions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A significant portion of

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", maintaining a similar level of formality but offering a slightly different nuance.

A considerable segment of

Emphasizes both the size and distinctness of the segment.

A sizable amount of

Highlights the quantity or size of the portion.

A considerable fraction of

Uses "considerable" and "fraction" to suggest a noteworthy but not necessarily overwhelming amount.

A notable share of

Highlights that the portion represents a significant share or stake.

A major segment of

Emphasizes the size and importance of the portion being discussed.

The majority of

Indicates that more than half of something is being referred to.

An important component of

Focuses on the importance or role of the portion within a larger whole.

A large chunk of

More informal, suggesting a sizable piece or amount.

A good deal of

Indicates a notable quantity, often used in less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial part of" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial part of" to indicate that a significant portion or amount of something is being discussed. For example, "A substantial part of the budget is allocated to education."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial part of"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant portion of", "a considerable fraction of", or "a major segment of" depending on the context.

Is "a substantial part of" formal or informal?

"A substantial part of" is generally considered suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It's not overly informal, but it's also not strictly limited to highly academic or professional writing.

When should I use "a substantial part of" versus "the majority of"?

Use "a substantial part of" when the portion is noteworthy but might not be over 50%. Use "the majority of" when you want to specifically indicate that more than half of something is being discussed.