a substantial section of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial section of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant part or portion of something, such as a document, study, or population. Example: "A substantial section of the report was dedicated to analyzing the environmental impact of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In this respect, the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, reflects where a substantial section of Israeli politics stands today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Industrialisation and malnourishment form a substantial section of the book, from which Elmer McCollum emerges a hero.

Independent

I've always been puzzled as to why Rapha in particular is the focus of such ire from a substantial section of the cycling community.

The Guardian

Vendors can get some relief without going to court; there's a substantial section of state law that gives them administrative — nonjudicial — remedies when state agencies do them wrong.

The New York Times

A substantial section of the community of power believes that military victory is our principal objective, but it is heartening that the Pres.

The New Yorker

He said: "Fifty-six per cent of the population voted to remain and we could not have achieved that result without a substantial section of the unionist community voting for a future in Europe.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Of course agricultural innovation is about much more than just genetic modification, but it's the inclusion of a substantial section on the potential of biotechnology that's likely to raise the hackles of anti-GM campaigners.

BBC

The paper includes a substantial section on changes of dependent variable and front tracking techniques for non-linear diffusion problems.

Journal of Computational Physics

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico asked the committee to include a substantial section on education.

The New York Times

Graves takes something of a risk at the start of the second volume, or so it least it seems to me, devoting a substantial section to the career of Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great, relating his travels and adventures prior to the death of Caligula, the event which bound his fortunes to those of the newly honoured Claudius.

The Guardian - Books

Since many proposed liposome formulations contain grafted PEG molecules, a discussion of the interactions of PEG molecules and PEG surface layers with proteins is also provided as well as a substantial section dealing with the mechanistic aspects of these interactions.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial section of" to emphasize the size or importance of a part within a larger whole. This phrase is particularly useful in academic, news, and formal writing where precision and clarity are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial section of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "a big part of" or "much of" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial section of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a significant portion or part of something. This phrase is used to specify that the section being referred to is not negligible, but rather a considerable or important component. Ludwig confirms its usability in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

8%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial section of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant portion of something, whether it be a document, a population, or a physical entity. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and sees frequent usage in various contexts, especially in news and media, scientific research, and encyclopedic entries. While it's appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, it should be used sparingly in casual conversation. Alternatives like "a considerable portion of" or "a significant segment of" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable portion of

Changes the noun from "section" to "portion" maintaining a similar meaning of a significant part.

a significant segment of

Replaces "substantial" with "significant" and "section" with "segment", both conveying a sense of importance and division.

a sizable fraction of

Substitutes "substantial" with "sizable" and "section" with "fraction", indicating a notable quantity.

a large component of

Replaces "substantial section" with "large component", focusing on the idea of a significant part contributing to a whole.

a major part of

Uses simpler language to convey the importance and size of the section.

an appreciable amount of

Shifts the focus to quantity using "amount" instead of a spatial division like "section".

a good deal of

An idiomatic alternative expressing a large quantity or extent.

a noteworthy element of

Replaces "substantial" with "noteworthy" and "section" with "element", emphasizing significance over size.

a considerable chunk of

Uses "chunk" for a more informal feel, maintaining the sense of a sizable part.

a significant piece of

Uses "piece" to represent a portion of something, implying a notable segment.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to describe a significant portion of something. For example, "A substantial section of the report focuses on the economic impact."

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

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

Is it better to say "a substantial section of" or "a significant section of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "A substantial section of" emphasizes the size or amount, while "a significant section of" highlights the importance or impact of that section.

Can "a substantial section of" be used to describe people?

Yes, it can. For example, "A substantial section of the population supports the new policy.". It is used to describe a large group of people within a larger population.