a substantial voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial voice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a significant or influential presence in a discussion or debate. Example: "In the meeting, she was recognized as a substantial voice on environmental issues, advocating for sustainable practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A legally enforceable contract, it also calls for retailers to stop doing business with any factory that refuses to make necessary safety improvements, and for workers and their unions to have a substantial voice in factory safety.

The New York Times

Pentecostalists, who make up one of the fastest-growing sects, preach faith healing and raising from the dead, but they also give a substantial voice in church to ordinary village women.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dana Beth Miller, singing the part here, wielded a rich, substantial voice that tightened only slightly in its highest range, along with a winning stage presence that made her character sympathetic even in extremes of self-involved recklessness.

The New York Times - Arts

Ali-Zadeh is a quietly substantial voice in modern music, and Kronos has been promoting her for more than a decade.

The New Yorker

When Snow Patrol released Fallen Empires, the 2011 album that comprises a substantial part of this gig, singer Gary Lightbody revealed that the new record gave voice to their "inner dance monkey".

The Guardian - Music

It dawned on me that a substantial part of the soundtrack of Wonder's public life consists of the voices of complete strangers telling him they love him.

The New Yorker

A substantial part will be autobiographical.

The New Yorker

A promising young tenor with a sweet yet substantial voice, Keith Jameson is heartbreaking as the Novice, a confused boy among tough men, who is dragged in bloody and humiliated after being unjustly flogged.

The New York Times - Arts

The Wilderness marked the debut of a substantial new voice.

The Guardian - Books

And many of the Arab families that Saddam Hussein forcibly moved here during his "Arabization" program -- often after taking homes from people in the first two groups -- believe that they should have a substantial political voice and be allowed to remain.

The New York Times

Indeed, it was the group's emergence during the civil war that gave that underclass its first substantial voice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial voice" when you want to emphasize that someone's opinion or perspective carries significant weight and influence within a particular context.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial voice" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a level of formality and is more appropriate for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial voice" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "voice". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing someone or something that possesses significant influence or importance. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it highlights the weight and impact of an individual or group's perspective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial voice" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote significant influence and importance, predominantly in formal contexts like news and media. Although not frequently encountered according to Ludwig, it effectively conveys that someone's perspective carries weight. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as a noun phrase emphasizing the impact of opinions. When aiming for a similar meaning, alternatives such as "a significant viewpoint" or "an influential perspective" can be employed. To ensure proper usage, reserve this phrase for scenarios demanding a formal tone, avoiding overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant viewpoint

Replaces "voice" with "viewpoint", focusing on the opinion rather than the person expressing it. Retains emphasis on importance.

an influential perspective

Substitutes "substantial" with "influential" and "voice" with "perspective", highlighting the impact of the opinion.

a considerable opinion

Similar to 'a significant viewpoint', but uses 'considerable' to emphasize the weight of the opinion.

a powerful advocate

Shifts the focus to the person as an advocate, implying their voice is strong and effective.

a major contributor

Emphasizes the contribution made, implying their voice adds significantly to the discussion.

a prominent spokesperson

Highlights the role of someone speaking on behalf of a group, suggesting their voice is widely heard.

a weighty perspective

Uses "weighty" to convey the importance and impact of the perspective offered.

a leading proponent

Similar to "a powerful advocate", but focuses on their role as a supporter or champion of something.

a dominant position

Shifts away from vocal expression to signify the importance and prominence that influences a situation.

an impactful communication

Focuses on the communication itself having a high effect rather than on the speaker.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a substantial voice" in a sentence?

To use "a substantial voice" effectively, ensure the context warrants a formal tone. For example, "She became "a substantial voice" in the community after years of dedicated service." This highlights her influence and the importance of her opinions.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "a substantial voice"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant viewpoint", "an influential perspective", or "a considerable opinion" depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the sense of importance.

In what kind of writing is the phrase "a substantial voice" most appropriate?

"A substantial voice" is most appropriate in formal writing, such as academic papers, professional reports, news articles, and formal speeches. Its elevated tone lends itself well to serious or influential discussions.

What distinguishes "a substantial voice" from "a strong voice"?

While both phrases indicate influence, "a substantial voice" suggests a deeper level of impact and importance. "A strong voice" may simply mean someone speaks loudly or assertively, whereas "a substantial voice" implies that their opinions are well-reasoned, respected, and carry weight.