anything of substance

USAGE SUMMARY

"anything of substance" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a material or subject of worth or value. For example: "This event did not provide us with anything of substance to work with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But so was anything of substance.

The Economist

Who truly "chooses" anything of substance anyway?

The Guardian

"Nobody is saying anything of substance.

The New York Times - Sports

Could the league's worst running game produce anything of substance?

The New York Times - Sports

I thought we weren't going to get anything of substance.

The New York Times

"I don't think he said anything of substance.

The Guardian

Whether this leads to anything of substance, who knows".

The Guardian

And in the third pillar hardly anything of substance has been done in four years.

The Economist

There's no guarantee, of course, that anything of substance will be found.

The New York Times

Nobody does anything of substance unless they do it with everybody else on the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the court of public opinion, whatever Comey says assuming he says anything of substance will carry a lot of weight.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal tone in academic writing, consider "material of consequence" as a substitution.

Common error

Avoid using "anything of substance" in overly casual conversations. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "something meaningful" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything of substance" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting the absence of meaningful content or value. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anything of substance" is a versatile phrase used to denote a lack of meaningful content or value, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys criticism or disappointment. While grammatically correct and frequent, its tone can vary from neutral to slightly formal. When writing, consider the context and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Related phrases include "something meaningful" and "material of consequence", providing nuanced options for expressing similar sentiments. Remember to tailor your language to suit the intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something meaningful

Emphasizes the presence of significance or importance.

something of value

Focuses on the worth or benefit derived.

something significant

Highlights the noteworthiness or impact.

something worthwhile

Stresses the merit or reward of the endeavor.

material of consequence

Indicates the presence of important or impactful subject matter.

content of merit

Focuses on the quality and value of the information.

any real value

Shifts the emphasis to the tangible or practical benefit.

any genuine worth

Highlights the authenticity and intrinsic value.

any tangible benefit

Focuses on the practical and measurable advantages.

a meaningful contribution

Emphasizes the positive impact or addition made.

FAQs

How can I use "anything of substance" in a sentence?

You can use "anything of substance" to express the absence of value or importance. For example, "The meeting didn't produce "anything of substance" for the project."

What's a more formal alternative to "anything of substance"?

In a formal context, consider using alternatives such as "material of consequence" or "something significant" instead of "anything of substance."

Is "anything of substance" suitable for all types of writing?

While "anything of substance" is generally correct, its suitability depends on the context. For informal settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate. For formal writing, it's perfectly acceptable and conveys a clear meaning.

What is the difference between ""anything of substance"" and "something of value"?

While similar, "anything of substance" often implies a lack or absence of meaningful content, whereas "something of value" suggests the presence of worth or benefit. The choice depends on the specific context and intended emphasis.