a substantial thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an object, concept, or idea that has significant importance or size. Example: "The discovery of the ancient artifact was a substantial thing for the archaeological community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ideally he would be — "Is it one of them what you see through?" A hand, lousy with blue veins, reached out for the light encircling the boy's head, as if it were a substantial thing, to be grasped like the handle of a mug.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he does want to remain active in politics, as a strongly pro-European Conservative.He also wants a real job somewhere—"a proper substantial thing, not lots of little things".

The Economist

Because she's a very petite person, for that she needed a very substantial thing around her to make her more fierce.

Los Angeles Times

Once you've swum, you can read about it, and top of my book list is the The Story of Swimming by Susie Parr, a beautiful substantial thing, witty and readable, with fabulous photography.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Simple recognition of the scale of humanitarian harm from a nuclear weapon is the most substantial thing — hundreds of thousands killed and injured.

HuffPost

In Buddhist philosophy, the ongoing task is to produce a sufficient consciousness of the self for there to be reincarnation, while simultaneously securing the understanding that the individual self is not (in the end) a substantial, concrete thing, but a delusion that will dissolve or become liberated into Nirvana.

SEP

"A lot of questions, he flew by them because he knew there was no substantial thing he was going to get," said Junaid Iqbal, 22, a Pakistani-born senior who is majoring in economics at Michigan.

The New York Times

As the junkie Harry, a wasted pretty boy, he seems kept aloft by his eyelashes, the only substantial thing on his frame.

The New York Times

The eventual result is the world of modern mathematical physics described in Cassirer's earlier scientific works — a pure system of formal relations where, in particular, the intuitive concept of substantial thing has finally been replaced by the relational-functional concept of universal law.

SEP

People are objecting to tactics -- that's not the most substantial thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Is this the last substantial thing you want to say about George?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial thing", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical size, importance, or impact. This will prevent ambiguity and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial thing" in casual conversation, as it may sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler, more direct language to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial thing" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "thing". This phrase refers to something that has significant size, importance, or value. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial thing" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to highlight the size, importance, or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though its occurrence is relatively rare. The phrase finds common use in contexts such as news, science, and formal business communications, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, ensure the context clarifies whether you intend to convey physical size, significance, or impact. While this phrase can be used effectively, be cautious not to overuse it in informal conversation, as it could come across as overly formal. Considering alternatives like "a significant matter" or "an important item" can help to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable matter

Emphasizes the importance and weight of the matter being discussed.

a major aspect

Highlights the importance of the aspect in a broader context.

a significant element

Focuses on the importance of the element rather than its physical substance.

a large component

Indicates that the thing forms a significant part of a whole.

an essential feature

Focuses on the necessity and importance of the feature.

a noteworthy item

Highlights the item's deserving of attention due to its importance.

a considerable asset

Emphasizes the value and benefit the thing provides.

a meaningful entity

Shifts the focus to the entity's value and significance.

a tangible resource

Points to the resource being real and able to be touched or used.

a material object

Specifies that the thing is physical and tangible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial thing" to describe something significant in size, amount, or importance. For example, "The donation was "a substantial thing" for the charity."

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial thing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a significant matter", "an important item", or "a considerable amount".

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

Both "a substantial thing" and "a significant thing" are grammatically correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Substantial" often refers to size or amount, while "significant" highlights importance. Choose the word that best fits the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a substantial thing"?

The phrase "a substantial thing" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the considerable size, importance, or impact of something in a formal or semi-formal context.