a substantial percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial percentage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant portion or amount of something, often in statistical or analytical contexts. Example: "A substantial percentage of the population reported feeling more optimistic about the economy this year compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The University typically gets a substantial percentage of the funds as indirect cost.

Forbes

Also, loci that do not explain a substantial percentage of phenotypic variance[29] may go unnoticed.

Plosone

A substantial percentage of sex offenders are psychopaths.

The New Yorker

A substantial percentage of those deaths — 25percentt — were suicides.

The Washington Post

A substantial percentage of patients have undiagnosed diabetes.

American Heart Journal

A substantial percentage of graduates go on to postgraduate study.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While many guests do exactly that, a substantial percentage will "overpredict" which amenities they will use.

Cornell University

It is very unrealistic for a substantial percentage of Mozambicans to own their own computer.

Stanford University

A substantial percentage of Upper School students are from overseas, either fee-paying or on scholarships.

The Guardian

Although that is a substantial percentage difference, the absolute risk for ovarian cancer is not great.

The New York Times

Remember, he said, "a substantial percentage of those positions convert to permanent status".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial percentage", ensure you provide context. For instance, follow it with "of" and the total group or quantity being discussed to give the reader a clear understanding of the scale involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial percentage" to describe figures that are objectively small or insignificant within the larger context. Always ensure the percentage genuinely represents a noteworthy portion of the whole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial percentage" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a considerable portion of it. As shown by Ludwig, it's often used to highlight that a noteworthy part of a whole meets a particular condition or characteristic. It does not specify the exact amount, but it highlights it's something more than a negligible quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial percentage" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent usage across diverse fields such as science, news media, and academia. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: always ensure the context is clear and avoid overstating the significance of the percentage relative to the overall scope. While alternatives such as "a significant portion" exist, "a substantial percentage" remains a reliable choice for conveying that a noteworthy quantity is under discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant portion

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the part being referenced, rather than just its size.

a considerable fraction

Suggests the part is large enough to merit attention and is worth considering.

a large segment

Highlights that the percentage represents a notable section of a larger group or whole.

a good proportion

Implies the percentage is adequate or acceptable for a given purpose or expectation.

a notable share

Stresses that the percentage is worth mentioning or taking into account.

a major part

Indicates that the percentage is crucial or essential to the whole.

a respectable amount

Highlights the percentage is of a size that is worthy of recognition or esteem.

a sizable chunk

Suggests the percentage is a considerable piece of something, informally.

an appreciable quantity

Conveys that the percentage is large enough to be noticed or measured.

a healthy slice

Indicates the percentage is significant and desirable, often used informally.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial percentage" to indicate that a significant portion of a group or quantity meets a certain criterion. For example: "A substantial percentage of students passed the exam."

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

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

Is it correct to say "a substantial percentage" or should I use a more specific value?

While "a substantial percentage" is correct, using a specific percentage (e.g., "65 percent") provides greater clarity and precision, especially in analytical or statistical contexts.

What is the difference between "a substantial percentage" and "a significant percentage"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. Both indicate that a noteworthy portion of something is being discussed. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.