a substantial person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial person" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone with a strong, commanding presence and a significant influence or impact. For example, "Her speech was delivered by a substantial person who commanded the attention of the entire audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kinnock was "not a substantial person … a media figure really", Benn recorded in 1976.

The Guardian

Hercules' feet therefore measured one and five one-hundredths English feet apiece — substantial appendages for a substantial person.

The New Yorker

His girlfriend, Brenda Rachel Griffithss), who seemed crazed at the start, has turned out to be a substantial person with a seriously deranged brother, Billy Jeremy Sistoo).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yes, he has a lover and a dead-end job, lives in a dump of a squat, and has the respect of every morally substantial person he crosses.

The Guardian - Books

"I was playing a real person who suffered substantial trauma in what we were fictionalizing," he recalled backstage after his win on Sunday.

Los Angeles Times

This remains a substantial period between a person first noticing a symptom and receiving a diagnosis.

British Journal of Cancer

"It is known that a substantial number of persons were treated on-site and that certain persons would likely have been transported to [emergency departments] had medical treatment tents not been available," the authors said. .

Los Angeles Times

In any case, targeting vaccination to the elderly and persons with known comorbid conditions will fail to protect a substantial minority of persons who need hospital care and will particularly disadvantage Pacific Islanders.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Throughout the first 52 weeks, there were always a substantial number of persons whose quality of life was good (7 10), and never an excess of persons with the worst quality of life.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

We found a high prevalence of DM in a rapidly developing country in the African region, a substantial proportion of persons unaware of DM in the population, limited cardiometabolic control among treated diabetic persons, and a strong association of DM with excess weight.

BMC Public Health

Since Rasch analysis places both persons and items along the same latent dimension, one can ask whether there is a substantial number of persons who actually do respond as predicted by the Rasch model.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial person" when you want to convey that someone has a significant presence, influence, or moral weight. Consider the context to ensure the nuance aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial person" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal tone and might sound overly serious or pretentious in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial person" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "person". It describes an individual possessing significant qualities, influence, or presence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial person" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon way to describe someone with significant influence, presence, or moral weight. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable and usable. While it appears primarily in news and media contexts, it carries a formal tone that may not be suitable for all situations. Consider using alternatives like "a notable person" or "an influential person" depending on the intended meaning and context. The phrase highlights someone's importance or their capacity to significantly impact others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial individual

Replaces "person" with "individual", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a person of substance

Uses "substance" as a noun to describe the person's character.

an impressive person

Focuses on the person's ability to inspire admiration.

a notable person

Emphasizes the person's importance or recognition.

a person of consequence

Highlights the importance and impact of the person.

a significant figure

Highlights the person's impact and influence.

an influential person

Focuses on the person's ability to affect others.

a weighty person

Implies the person is influential and carries importance.

a towering figure

Suggests the person is prominent and stands out.

a commanding presence

Shifts focus to the person's impactful aura and demeanor.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial person" to describe someone who has a strong influence, moral weight, or commanding presence. For example, "The company needed "a substantial person" to lead them through the crisis."

What is a more common alternative to "a substantial person"?

While "a substantial person" is grammatically correct, it is not very common. Alternatives include "a notable person" or "an influential person", depending on the context.

Is "a person of substance" the same as "a substantial person"?

The phrases are very similar. "A person of substance" emphasizes the person's character and moral fiber, while ""a substantial person"" can also refer to someone with a strong physical presence or influence.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a substantial person"?

It's suitable in formal writing or speech when you want to convey that someone has significant importance, influence, or moral authority. Consider whether alternatives like "an important person" or "a significant figure" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.