a substantial tip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial tip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a generous amount of money given to someone for their service, typically in the context of dining or hospitality. Example: "After enjoying a wonderful meal, I decided to leave a substantial tip for the waiter to show my appreciation for their excellent service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I give her the money, plus a substantial tip.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Does a more expensive cocktail warrant a more substantial tip?

The New York Times

Some people like to throw a $1 bet for the house pretty frequently, some will play all night and then hand their dealer a more substantial tip at the end.

WikiHow

We need to build a substantial lead.

BBC

Dale's attorneys conceded that funds had been co-mingled, but stated that Dale had not stolen anything but rather used the monies for the substantial tips and off-the-book payments that the job required, especially in foreign countries, and that anything left over was used as a discount against future trips.

Wikipedia

Don't take the bait, because what will result is an unsatisfying meal at a substantial markup... excluding the tip they "forgot" to tell you was already included.

Huffington Post

The results of this study 1) show that CDH23 and PCDH15 are required for the formation and/or maintenance of a substantial complement of normal tip links, 2) reveal that transducer currents are abnormal in mice with mutations in the genes encoding these proteins, and 3) provide further evidence that ototoxic aminoglycoside antibiotics enter hair cells via their mechanotransducer channels.

Plosone

"Over five shifts in a week is a substantial loss of my tips," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Inevitably, the staff can lose a substantial part of its tips when patrons show up with their own wine.

The New York Times - Food

India, too, has only one: the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad (IIM-A .It IIM-A .Itp of a substantisl iceberg.

The Economist

Notably, Dcx-DsRed+ knobs were also present at dendritic tips of a substantial number of VSNs (Fig.  2a).

BMC Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial tip" to clearly convey that the gratuity provided was significantly more than the standard or expected amount, highlighting the generosity.

Common error

Avoid pairing "substantial" with other intensifiers like "very" or "extremely". Saying "a very substantial tip" can sound redundant and weaken the impact of the word "substantial" itself. Opt for simply "a substantial tip" for a more concise and effective statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial tip" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "tip". It describes the quality and size of the tip being given. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a substantial tip" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a generous gratuity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. Alternatives such as "a generous gratuity" or "a hefty tip" can provide variations in tone and formality. Using "substantial" effectively conveys the idea of a tip that is significantly above the norm, showing notable appreciation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a generous gratuity

Replaces "tip" with "gratuity" for a more formal tone and "substantial" with "generous", focusing on the act of giving.

a considerable tip

Substitutes "substantial" with "considerable", emphasizing the noteworthiness of the tip's amount.

a hefty tip

Uses "hefty" instead of "substantial" to convey a larger-than-average amount in a more informal way.

a significant tip

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", highlighting the importance or impact of the tip.

a sizable tip

Employs "sizable" to indicate a large amount, maintaining a neutral tone.

a handsome tip

Uses "handsome" to describe the tip, adding a touch of old-fashioned charm and implying generosity.

a princely tip

An exaggerated way to say "a very generous tip".

a lavish tip

Describes the tip as excessively generous and extravagant.

an above-average tip

A straightforward description indicating the tip exceeded the typical amount.

a generous reward

Replaces "tip" with "reward" for a broader implication of appreciation, and "substantial" with "generous"

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial tip" to describe a generous gratuity given for excellent service. For example, "The waiter was delighted to receive "a substantial tip" after providing exceptional service".

What's a more formal way to say "a substantial tip"?

A more formal alternative to "a substantial tip" is "a generous gratuity". This phrase is suitable for professional or official contexts.

What can I say instead of "a substantial tip" to emphasize the size of the tip?

To emphasize the size, you could use phrases like "a hefty tip" or "a sizable tip", both implying a larger-than-average amount.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a substantial tip"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In very formal writing, "a generous gratuity" may be preferable. In casual settings, "a hefty tip" might be more fitting.