a substantial pillar of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial pillar of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is a significant support or foundation for a particular idea, organization, or system. Example: "Education is a substantial pillar of a thriving society, providing the knowledge and skills necessary for progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When his historic 27 year run as a late night host comes to an end with his final episode of the Late Show tonight, the many musicians who played his stage will remain a substantial pillar of Letterman's legacy.

Vice

Do you ever find yourself in those life-moments when you reminisce to the first time you saw or heard an artist who now occupies a substantial pillar of your musical mainframe?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His company pointed out that it had invested over $15 billion in South Africa since 1999.Mining is one very substantial pillar of South Africa's economy, but Mr Mbeki's government has had a sour relationship with mining firms for several years, as land rights were expropriated and as royalty payments are slowly introduced.

The Economist

Audie saw a crack on a pillar of the pavilion.

The New Yorker

In the 1970s, studies in many settings found that community-based provision of family planning was acceptable to a substantial proportion of couples, making expanding contraceptive access a major pillar of family planning programming.

Global health, science and practice

"It undermines a central pillar of the good governance of FIFA, and it destroys a substantial achievement of the reforms".

The New York Times - Sports

He has a substantial amount of support.

BBC

A substantial majority of undergraduates participate.

Wikipedia

Atangana gained a substantial amount of wealth.

Wikipedia

It's a pillar of building a personal brand.

Huffington Post

Puccini remains a central pillar of opera.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial pillar of", ensure the context clearly defines what is being supported or upheld. For instance, specify what the 'pillar' is supporting, such as 'a substantial pillar of the community' or 'a substantial pillar of economic growth'.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial pillar of" in casual conversation or informal writing. This phrase is more suited to formal, academic, or professional settings where a degree of gravitas is desired. Reserve it for situations where you need to emphasize importance or foundational support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial pillar of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object complement, identifying a key element or foundation upon which something else depends. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial pillar of" is a phrase used to emphasize the importance and foundational nature of something within a larger context. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and typically appears in more formal settings. While relatively uncommon, it’s valuable for expressing that an element is indispensable and provides significant support. Remember to avoid overusing it in casual conversations and clearly define what the 'pillar' is supporting to maximize its impact. The phrase finds its place particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant foundation of

Replaces 'pillar' with 'foundation', emphasizing the base or support role.

a major cornerstone of

Substitutes 'pillar' with 'cornerstone', highlighting the essential and fundamental nature.

a key component of

Replaces 'pillar' with 'component', focusing on the contributing element to a larger system.

a vital element of

Changes 'substantial pillar' to 'vital element', stressing the necessity and importance.

an important support for

Replaces 'pillar' with 'support', focusing on the act of providing assistance or stability.

a critical aspect of

Substitutes 'pillar' with 'aspect', highlighting a particular feature that is crucial.

a fundamental principle of

Replaces the phrase with 'fundamental principle', stressing the underlying belief or rule.

an integral part of

Changes the phrase to 'integral part', emphasizing the inseparability and essential nature.

a primary building block of

Replaces the phrase with 'primary building block', focusing on the foundational element.

a central tenet of

Substitutes the phrase with 'central tenet', focusing on the core belief or doctrine.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial pillar of" to describe something fundamental or essential to a larger concept or system. For example, "Education is "a substantial pillar of" a thriving society."

What's the difference between "a substantial pillar of" and "a key component of"?

"A substantial pillar of" suggests a more foundational and supportive role, while "a key component of" simply indicates an important contributing element. The former implies stronger support or stability.

What are some alternatives to using "a substantial pillar of" in my writing?

Alternatives include "a significant foundation of", "a major cornerstone of", or "a vital element of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial pillar of" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a substantial pillar of" is generally more appropriate for formal writing and speech. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a major part of" or "a big help to" might be more suitable.