a substantial portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial portion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a large amount or percentage of something. For example, "A substantial portion of the population was affected by the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A substantial portion of service workers are employed in retailing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, a substantial portion of the costs of operating a nuclear plant are imposed on communities.

The New York Times

We are dependent on government-controlled companies for a substantial portion of our needs..

The Guardian - Business

"That makes it less appropriate for a substantial portion of your financial nest egg.

The New York Times

In February 1986, Iran captured a substantial portion of the Fao Peninsula.

The Guardian - Opinion

A substantial portion of the complaint attacks the assertions Stanford made to his clients.

The New Yorker

Boards should require their executives to hold "a substantial portion" of their stock, Mr. Paulson said.

The New York Times

The textiles and interiors unit is a substantial portion of DuPont Canada's business and operations.

The New York Times

A substantial portion of Chelsea fans stood against the appointment of Rafa Benítez.

The Guardian - Sport

Both Swedish companies said a substantial portion of their European-delivery buyers were repeat customers.

The New York Times - Travel

Fishing and hunting license fees provide a substantial portion of their agencies' income.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial portion of", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'whole' is. For example, "A substantial portion of the budget was allocated to marketing."

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial portion of" without specifying what the portion relates to. For example, instead of "A substantial portion was damaged", specify "A substantial portion of the building was damaged".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial portion of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant quantity or percentage of it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Many examples show its use in describing various contexts, such as "a substantial portion of service workers" or "a substantial portion of the complaint".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial portion of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant amount or percentage of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the 'whole' to which the portion refers. Alternatives include "a significant part of" or "a considerable amount of", depending on the desired nuance. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing quantity in a clear and impactful manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant part of

Emphasizes importance rather than just size.

a considerable amount of

Highlights the largeness of the quantity.

a large segment of

Suggests a distinct and sizable section.

a major fraction of

Highlights the proportional aspect and its significance.

a noteworthy percentage of

Specifically emphasizes the proportional aspect.

a sizable chunk of

Implies a more informal and less precise quantity.

an appreciable quantity of

More formal and emphasizes that the amount is noticeable.

a respectable share of

Conveys that the portion is not only large, but also fair or adequate.

a good deal of

Indicates a noteworthy quantity, leaning towards informal.

a healthy proportion of

Suggests that the amount is beneficial or positive.

FAQs

What does "a substantial portion of" mean?

The phrase "a substantial portion of" means a significant or considerable amount of something. It suggests that the amount is large enough to be noteworthy or important.

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

You can use "a substantial portion of" to describe a large part of a whole. For example, "A substantial portion of the population relies on public transportation."

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

Alternatives to "a substantial portion of" include "a significant part of", "a considerable amount of", or "a large segment of".

Is "a substantial portion of" formal or informal?

"A substantial portion of" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for use in most writing contexts. It's more formal than "a good deal of" but less formal than "an appreciable quantity of".