are not substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something lacks significance, importance, or size. Example: "The arguments presented in the debate are not substantial enough to change my opinion on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Erik Parker's laurels are not substantial, but neither is he resting on them.

The New York Times

The federal questions that ultimately emerged in this case are not substantial.

The New York Times

Here's what he said:These are not substantial and will probably be ignored by most consumers.

The Economist

"The fact is that below the top 10 [areas] there are not substantial conurbations to support this.

The Guardian

Though older heart transplant patients have higher death and complication rates than younger patients, the differences are not substantial when recipients are carefully chosen, transplant surgeons say.

The New York Times

So isolated were the people who spoke it in their deep valleys that not one, but five, dialects grew up, though the differences are not substantial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"There aren't substantial enough changes to get us where we need to be".

Huffington Post

But, the director said, the changes were not substantial.

The New York Times

There is not substantial overlap between the company's businesses.

The New York Times

The change was not substantial, not what we were looking for".

The New York Times

But, although a very entertaining 45 minutes, it's not substantial enough to seem essential.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not substantial", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is lacking substance, such as size, impact, or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "are not substantial" when the differences or effects are clearly nonexistent, opting for stronger terms like "insignificant" or "nonexistent" may provide greater clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not substantial" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that something lacks a significant degree of size, impact, or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not substantial" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to convey a lack of significance, size, or impact. As indicated by Ludwig, it's particularly prevalent in scientific and news media contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines what lacks substance. Though similar to alternatives like "are not significant" or "are not considerable", its specific implication of lacking size or impact makes it unique. Avoid using it when the differences or effects are completely nonexistent, as stronger terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not significant

Focuses on the lack of importance or consequence.

are not considerable

Emphasizes the lack of size or amount.

are not meaningful

Highlights the lack of purpose or value.

are not negligible

Implies that something cannot be ignored but is very small.

are not momentous

Stresses the lack of historical importance or impact.

are not weighty

Highlights the lack of influence or seriousness.

are not remarkable

Focuses on the lack of noteworthiness or distinction.

are not impressive

Emphasizes the lack of admiration or respect.

are not appreciable

Indicates that something is barely noticeable or measurable.

are not momentous

Implies that something is inconsequential or trivial.

FAQs

How can I use "are not substantial" in a sentence?

The phrase "are not substantial" is used to indicate that something is not significant, large, or important. For example: "The differences between the two models "are not substantial"."

What are some alternatives to "are not substantial"?

Alternatives include phrases like "are not significant", "are not considerable", or "are not meaningful", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "are not substantial" or "are insignificant"?

Both phrases convey a lack of importance, but "are not substantial" suggests something lacks a large size or impact, while "are insignificant" directly implies a lack of importance. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.

In what contexts is "are not substantial" most appropriate?

The phrase "are not substantial" is suitable in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where precise and moderate language is preferred, such as when describing data variations or policy impacts.