a substantive agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantive agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an agreement that is significant, meaningful, or has substantial content. Example: "After several rounds of negotiation, the parties finally reached a substantive agreement that addressed all key issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although the Madrid talks themselves failed to achieve a substantive agreement, they were valuable in paving the way for additional negotiations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At a meeting in London on Friday and Saturday, finance ministers of the G-20 Group of nations pledged to keep economic stimulus measures in place but failed to reach a substantive agreement on banker bonuses.

Forbes

On Tuesday, as it was becoming increasingly clear that the March 31 deadline would yield little in the way of a substantive agreement, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Despite a rocky July meeting in India that ended without any substantive agreement, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, right, has decided that he will meet a second time with Pakistan's military ruler, Gen. Perez Musharraf, left, next month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

The New York Times

The summit that was supposed to solve this part of the equation ended with a disappointing outcome in Addis Ababa last July, and this week the follow-up negotiations produced a new low as governments failed to reach any substantive agreement.

The Guardian

The suspension of peace talks this month with the second largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army, has left the administration persuaded that "there is no reason to believe there will be any substantive agreement with either of the groups in the near term," a senior official said.

The New York Times

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may return to Israel before the conference to push for a more substantive agreement.

The New York Times

December 18 A two-week international conference on global warming in Buenos Aires, Arg., concludes with an agreement to hold an informal workshop in 2005 to discuss the matter; the U.S. is accused of foot dragging and preventing a more substantive agreement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These matters of agreement are not trivial, and suggest a path toward substantive agreement on fundamental elements of meaningful tax reform.

Huffington Post

There is a common concept of the morally obligatory, a common concept that makes possible substantive agreement and disagreement between theists and nontheists.

SEP

He hopes that the chemistry of the place and the moment can induce a spirit of "principled compromise" that yields a substantive peace agreement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantive agreement" when you want to emphasize that the agreement involves significant and meaningful issues, not just minor or procedural matters.

Common error

Avoid using "substantive" simply to sound formal. Ensure the agreement genuinely addresses important issues; otherwise, a simpler term like "agreement" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantive agreement" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "reach", "achieve") or the subject in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantive agreement" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an agreement that is significant and addresses meaningful issues. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not frequently used, it appears primarily in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the agreement genuinely covers important matters to avoid being perceived as overly formal or using filler language. Consider alternatives like "a meaningful accord" or "a significant understanding" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a meaningful accord

Emphasizes the significance and value of the agreement.

a significant understanding

Highlights the importance and comprehensiveness of the agreement.

a material consensus

Focuses on the tangible and important aspects of the agreement.

a weighty pact

Indicates the seriousness and impact of the agreement.

a considerable arrangement

Highlights the substantial nature of the agreement.

a genuine settlement

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the agreement.

a robust compromise

Focuses on the strength and durability of the agreement.

a solid resolution

Highlights the firmness and finality of the agreement.

a concrete understanding

Emphasizes the practicality and definiteness of the agreement.

an important deal

Highlights the importance of the agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantive agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantive agreement" to describe an agreement that deals with important and significant issues, such as, "After lengthy negotiations, the countries reached "a substantive agreement" on climate change."

What's the difference between "a substantive agreement" and "a basic agreement"?

"A substantive agreement" implies that the agreement covers significant and meaningful issues, whereas "a basic agreement" suggests it only covers fundamental or preliminary aspects. For example, a basic agreement might outline initial terms, while "a substantive agreement" details specific actions and commitments.

What can I say instead of "a substantive agreement"?

You can use alternatives like "a meaningful accord", "a significant understanding", or "a material consensus" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a very substantive agreement"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "a very substantive agreement" can be redundant. The term "substantive" already implies significance. Consider using it only if you need to further emphasize the depth and importance of the agreement.