a substantial swath of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial swath of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant portion or area of something, often in contexts related to demographics, geography, or opinions. Example: "A substantial swath of the population supports the new policy, indicating a shift in public opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Supply-side economics was an unreasonable extension of valid ideas; few today advocate the top corporate tax rate of 46percentt and rates above 50percentt for a substantial swath of taxpayers that prevailed in the late 1970s.

The Washington Post

As first announced by federal and local officials in New York on June 2, the plot seemed cataclysmic: An Islamic terror cell planned to ignite the fuel storage tanks and a capillary network of pipes under the airport, threatening a major transportation hub, not to mention a substantial swath of Queens.

The New York Times

That is a substantial swath of the population.

Huffington Post

Henceforth, until the late nineteenth century, the popes exercised full civil jurisdiction over a substantial swath of territory, extending north and east from Rome, across the heart of the Italian peninsula, all the way to the Adriatic.

Huffington Post

But I join with a substantial swath of the scholars who study campaigns for a living--and with every living former officer of the American Civil Liberties Union--in believing that the approach embodied by these bills is both constructive and constitutional.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We have got to face it, we have had another very substantial swath of our crucial activist base wiped away.

The Guardian

Perry, an African American, represents a significant swath of South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times

An unfiltered release could conceivably contaminate substantial swaths of land around a hobbled reactor, forcing residents and business owners to abandon an area for decades.

Huffington Post

Substantial swaths of my personal history were going dead from within, from my talking about them too often.

The New Yorker

In fact, many other pressing issues — immigration, race, policing and incarceration, and gender equity — are shaped in some significant measure by the fact that substantial swaths of our population live in actual or near poverty conditions and face downward mobility and persistent under-employment.

Princeton University

India also confronts the strengthening nexus between its two nuclear-armed regional adversaries, China and Pakistan, both of which have staked claims to substantial swaths of Indian territory and continue to collaborate on weapons of mass destruction.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial swath of" when you want to emphasize both the size and importance of a particular segment or area. It adds a touch of formality and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial swath of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "a large part of" or "many" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial swath of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant and often geographically defined portion. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial swath of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a significant portion or area, often with geographical implications. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, like news, academia, and professional writing, where precision and a degree of sophistication are desired. While semantically similar to alternatives such as "a significant portion of" or "a considerable segment of", it carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the area's defined nature. Remember to avoid its use in overly casual settings to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant portion of

Replaces "substantial swath" with a more direct and common synonym.

a considerable segment of

Substitutes "substantial swath" with alternative words indicating size and division.

a large area of

Focuses on the geographical aspect, replacing "swath" with a more spatial term.

a sizable section of

Emphasizes the size of the part being referenced.

a notable fraction of

Highlights the proportion rather than the physical extent.

a wide segment of

Highlights the breadth or variety of the section.

a major part of

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning of a significant component.

an important division of

Emphasizes the significance of the divided portion.

a good deal of

Uses a more informal expression to convey a large quantity.

a large extent of

Focuses on the degree to which something is affected.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial swath of" to describe a significant portion or area of something. For example, "A substantial swath of the electorate supports the new policy."

What can I say instead of "a substantial swath of"?

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

Is "a substantial swath of" formal or informal?

"A substantial swath of" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives such as "a lot of" or "many".

What's the difference between "a substantial swath of" and "a large part of"?

While both phrases indicate a significant portion, "a substantial swath of" implies a more clearly defined or geographically coherent area, whereas "a large part of" is more general and can refer to abstract or less defined portions.