a substantial talent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial talent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a significant or impressive skill in a particular area, such as art, music, or sports. Example: "Her ability to compose music at such a young age shows that she is truly a substantial talent in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There was a substantial talent pool.

The New Yorker

In reality he was probably neither, although he was undoubtedly a substantial talent, who burst on to a stagnant American theatrical scene with The Zoo Story in 1959 and followed it up three years later with that major masterpiece of marital disharmony, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Given the N.F.L.'s current numbers — two offensive coordinators, six defensive coordinators, two offensive line coaches and four defensive line coaches are African-American — in a league with a substantial black talent pool, the Rooney Rule needs to be extended to include coaching staffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Tweed's one substantial talent seems to have been a grasp of city politics, which is to say, of human frailty.

The New Yorker

"Men We Reaped" reaffirms Ms. Ward's substantial talent.

The New York Times - Books

His humour was leavened with blackness, his gimlet eye with kindness, his substantial talent with modesty".

The Guardian - Books

With their substantial talent and millions of dollars in prize money waiting for them, why would they consider college?

The New York Times - Sports

His humour was shot through with blackness, his gimlet eye with kindness, his substantial talent with modesty.

The Guardian - Books

As a teacher, it is already painful getting some parents to accept their child's desire and often substantial talent for studying subjects such as art, or psychology, or food technology, but this perpetuated untruth makes it worse.

The Guardian

To head up the two studios, Playdom has brought in substantial talent from successful gaming companies.

TechCrunch

Dee often made big waves in smaller roles that somehow perfectly suited her substantial talent.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone with "a substantial talent", specify the area in which they excel to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial talent" when describing someone with only moderate abilities. Reserve the phrase for individuals with truly impressive skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial talent" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies an individual, highlighting the considerable extent of their aptitude or skill in a particular field, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial talent" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to describe someone with a notable skill or ability. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions as a descriptive noun phrase, often appearing in news and media contexts with a neutral to slightly formal tone. While alternative phrases like "a tremendous talent" or "a remarkable talent" exist, the choice depends on the specific emphasis intended. It's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the individual's capabilities to avoid overstatement. Its infrequent usage suggests careful consideration when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tremendous talent

Emphasizes the exceptional quality of the talent.

a major talent

Highlights the significance and impact of the talent.

a remarkable talent

Stresses the noteworthy and unusual nature of the talent.

a considerable talent

Indicates a significant amount of talent.

a great talent

General expression of high ability.

an exceptional skill

Focuses more on skill than innate ability.

a significant gift

Emphasizes the natural, inborn aspect of the talent.

a notable aptitude

Highlights a natural inclination or capacity.

a prodigious ability

Suggests an early display of exceptional talent.

a distinctive capability

Emphasizes the unique and special nature of the talent.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial talent" to describe someone who possesses a significant skill or ability in a particular area. For example, "She has "a substantial talent" for painting".

What's a good alternative to "a substantial talent"?

Alternatives include "a tremendous talent", "a major talent", or "a remarkable talent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial talent" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial talent" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe someone's significant abilities.

What's the difference between "a substantial talent" and "a promising talent"?

"A substantial talent" describes someone who already possesses significant skill, while "a promising talent" refers to someone who shows potential to develop great skill in the future.