a substantial term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial term" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a term that holds significant importance or weight in a particular context, such as legal, academic, or contractual discussions. Example: "In the contract, 'termination' is defined as a substantial term that affects the rights of both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The man has been convicted to a substantial term of imprisonment.

The Guardian

Active participation in discussion is expected, and each student will write a substantial term paper.

Cornell University

Prosecutors have asked for "a substantial term," although one below the five years recommended under the guidelines.

The New York Times

Students work in small teams to execute a substantial term project, with emphasis placed upon developing creative designs - via a deterministic design process - that are developed and optimized using analytical techniques.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

First, the student may enroll in two terms of relevant senior-level seminars (usually courses numbered in the 400s) and write a substantial term paper of twenty-five pages, double-spaced, for one of these courses.

Yale University

The office of Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan, without specifying a number of years, had asked the judge to impose "a substantial" term "commensurate with the significance and gravity" of Mr. Rosen's criminal conduct.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Gary Hart will be sentenced next month to what the trial judge said would be "a substantial jail term".

The New York Times

Federal prosecutors in New York said on Friday that Michael Cohen, Mr. Trump's former lawyer, should receive a "substantial" prison term of roughly four years, despite his cooperation.

The New York Times

Matthews was told yesterday she faced a substantial jail term after she was found guilty of kidnapping her daughter, holding her drugged in a relative's flat, then calling police and making a series of tearful TV appeals.

The Guardian

Sentencing a white-collar defendant to a substantial prison term is really more about expressing society's outrage at a misconduct that took advantage of investors and destroyed their financial well-being.

The New York Times

Therefore, the results of this study allow determination of the minimal concentration of lime reacting with clay minerals in order to induce a substantial long term improvement in the treated clay soil.

Applied Clay Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial term" in legal or academic writing, ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes 'substantial' to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the minimum duration or the importance criteria.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial term" without providing context or quantification. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact. Instead, consider adding clarifying details, like a specific timeframe or importance metric, to enhance precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial term" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an object or complement within a sentence. It often modifies another noun, providing information about the extent, importance, or duration of that noun. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies importance or weight in legal, academic, or contractual contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

35%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial term" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies a significant duration, amount, or aspect of something. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in contexts like legal sentences, academic assignments, and contractual discussions. While the phrase is more common in news, academic, and scientific writing, it maintains a neutral to formal register adaptable to various professional settings. When using "a substantial term", it's best practice to qualify what constitutes 'substantial' to avoid ambiguity, and to avoid overuse without clear context. Considering alternative phrases like "a considerable period" or "a significant duration" can also provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable period

Focuses on the duration aspect rather than the significance of the term.

a significant duration

Highlights the importance of the length of time involved.

an extensive timeframe

Emphasizes the broad scope of the time period.

a noteworthy duration

Suggests the length of time is remarkable or important.

a lengthy period

Simple alternative, focusing on the fact that the time is long.

a sizable span

Highlights the magnitude or extent of the duration.

a prolonged interval

Emphasizes that the time is stretched out or extended.

a material length of time

Uses "material" to stress the importance and relevance of the time.

a meaningful timeframe

Focuses on the value or impact of the duration.

an appreciable duration

Implies the length of time is easily noticed or recognized.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial term" to refer to a significant duration of time, a key condition in a contract, or an important academic assignment. For example: "The defendant was sentenced to a substantial term in prison." or "Active participation in discussion is expected, and each student will write a substantial term paper."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial term"?

Alternatives to "a substantial term" include "a considerable period", "a significant duration", or "a lengthy period", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "a substantial term" most appropriately used?

"A substantial term" is often used in legal contexts to describe prison sentences, in academic settings to describe significant assignments, or in business to denote important contractual conditions. The key is that the "term" carries significant weight or duration.

What does "substantial" mean in the context of "a substantial term"?

In the phrase "a substantial term", "substantial" implies that the term is significant, considerable, or of considerable duration. It suggests that the term is not trivial or negligible, but rather important and noteworthy.