a substantial review

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial review" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a thorough or significant examination or evaluation of a subject, document, or process. Example: "The committee conducted a substantial review of the proposed policy changes before making their recommendations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Even so, it accepted it needed to do more and had begun a substantial review of its sustainability strategies.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the New York Times ran a substantial review of Mr West, the first collection by the poet Sarah Blake, inspired by Kanye's relationship with his mother, Dr Donda West.

The Guardian - Books

For now, a meta-word, regarding a phrase in a substantial review of it that Glenn Kenny posted at his blog, Some Came Running, today, in which he calls it "a largely adroit film concerning largely insufferable people".

The New Yorker

Each issue features eight to ten articles clustered around major comparative-thematic topics, such as "Theoretical Dialogues," "Post-Colonial Perspectives," "Comparative Poetics," or "Eastern-Western Relationships". A substantial review section evaluates important theoretical and practical concerns involving cross-cultural study.

Johns Hopkins University

A substantial review of published surveys is provided by McColl et al. [ 1].

BMC Health Services Research

Our case study was conducted in 2011, during a substantial review of the methodologies contained within Michigan's Hospital Bed (HB) Standards (see [ 26]).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As FBI agent Christopher Tarbell explained, "Samples of these purchases have been laboratory-tested, and have typically shown high purity levels of the drug the item was advertised to be on Silk Road". Lau's data shows an average of 29 reviews for each product, meaning that the average drug item comes with a fairly substantial review history to evaluate it by.

The Washington Post

Although reviewers sometimes correctly identify problems with technical language or first-language interference, they often claim that a manuscript requires "substantial review and editing by a native English speaker" when in fact they may be reacting to usage or argumentation that is appropriate but different from their preferred style.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Authors of all the included reviews were contacted to ensure that any substantial reviews or ongoing projects was not overlooked, and we are not aware of any research group currently performing comprehensive reviews or meta-analysis.

Plosone

The services agreement, signed last June, is part of the effort to implement that framework.At the press conference, Mr Su spoke under a banner reading: "Demand substantial review; restart negotiations with China".

The Economist

The April 1804 issue of the Edinburgh Review announced his arrival on the British stage in a substantial critical review of Dumont's Traités, though his main appeal was initially confined to a small band of law reformers determined to tackle the antiquated and notoriously harsh punishments meted out by English penal law.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic and professional writing, use "a substantial review" to indicate a serious and well-considered analysis of a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial review" to describe an analysis that is brief or superficial. Only use it when the review is truly comprehensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial review" functions as a noun phrase, where 'substantial' modifies the noun 'review', indicating the magnitude or depth of the review. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase indicates a significant or thorough examination.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial review" denotes a significant and comprehensive examination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples across various domains, particularly in science, news, and academia. Alternative phrases include "a comprehensive review" and "an extensive review". When employing this phrase, ensure the review is genuinely thorough, and avoid overstating the depth of the analysis. The phrase is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, signaling a well-considered and detailed evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive review

Replaces "substantial" with "comprehensive", emphasizing the thoroughness of the review.

an extensive review

Substitutes "substantial" with "extensive", highlighting the breadth and scope of the review.

a detailed analysis

Changes "review" to "analysis", focusing on the in-depth examination of the subject.

a thorough evaluation

Replaces both words with near synonyms, stressing the completeness of the assessment.

a significant assessment

Replaces "review" with assessment and "substantial" with significant, highlighting the importance of the evaluation.

a considerable examination

Uses different wording to convey the idea of a large and careful inspection.

a critical analysis

Focuses on the judgmental aspect, suggesting a careful critique.

an in-depth study

Shifts the focus to the depth and intensity of the investigation.

a major investigation

Highlights the importance and scale of the inquiry.

a rigorous inspection

Emphasizes the strictness and thoroughness of the examination.

FAQs

What does "a substantial review" mean?

The phrase "a substantial review" refers to a thorough, comprehensive, and significant examination or analysis of a topic, document, or process.

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

You might say, "The committee conducted "a substantial review" of the data" or "The project underwent "a substantial review" before implementation".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial review"?

Alternatives include "a comprehensive review", "an extensive review", or "a detailed analysis". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a substantial review" or "a significant review"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a substantial review" emphasizes the depth and thoroughness of the review, while "a significant review" emphasizes the importance or impact of the review. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.