as substantial as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as substantial as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the significance or importance of something to another object or concept, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "His argument was as substantial as a feather, lacking any real weight or evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Until recently, I hadn't even experienced something as substantial as a thought about those dainty sheathes.

The New York Times

The New York Times reviewer called the movie "about as substantial as a weather report".

The Guardian - Film

A very large yew hedge, as substantial as a bison, nuzzled my shoulder as I admired an autumn clematis tumbling over its back.

The New York Times

Compared with the excalibur Hotel Casino, say, whose King Arthur castle looks about as substantial as a cardboard pop-up, New York-New York looks tangible...

The New Yorker

In this silver-gray film noir world, Ed at first seems as substantial as a shadow or the smoke from his unfiltered cigarettes.

The New York Times

With wages largely flat, saving any money, nevermind money for something as substantial as a down payment, requires drastic changes, advisers say.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The city is New York, the year is 1962, and the story line is about as substantial as an anchovy.

The New Yorker

These deceptively simple tales of life in the Central Asian borderlands are rendered with such poise and power that each felt as substantial as an epic poem.

The Guardian - Books

For all its jagged cuts and shrieking violin stabs, it somehow seems as substantial as an entire second act, as if half an hour's dramatic incident has been compressed into one dense and horrible mass.

The Guardian - Film

"The money that is made can be just as substantial as Class A drugs but the sanctions if they are intercepted are very much lower," he said.

Independent

"Indeed, the expected transfer of electric utility compliance costs to industrial customers would likely be just as substantial as under an economy wide cap-and-trade program". American Chemistry Council President Cal Dooley said yesterday that a utility-only cap would harm the global competitiveness of the U.S. chemical industry and stall economic recovery.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as substantial as a" to draw a comparison that highlights the significant size, amount, or impact of something, making sure the comparison is relatable and helps the reader grasp the magnitude being described.

Common error

Avoid using "as substantial as a" in purely abstract contexts where the comparison lacks a tangible or relatable element. Ensure that there is a clear basis for comparison to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as substantial as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to emphasize the degree to which something possesses a quality, comparing it to a specific noun to highlight its magnitude or significance. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as substantial as a" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase commonly used to emphasize the degree or significance of something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and utility across various contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. When using the phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and relatable to effectively convey the intended magnitude or importance. While versatile, avoid overusing it in purely abstract contexts where a tangible comparison is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as significant as a

Replaces "substantial" with a word emphasizing importance or consequence.

as considerable as a

Uses "considerable" to highlight the noteworthy amount or degree of something.

as meaningful as a

Emphasizes the importance and value of something.

as weighty as a

Uses "weighty" to suggest seriousness and importance.

as impactful as a

Highlights the strong effect or influence of something.

as large as a

Focuses on the physical size or scale.

as impressive as a

Emphasizes the quality of causing admiration.

as powerful as a

Highlights the strength and force.

as momentous as a

Emphasizes the importance and historical significance.

as critical as a

Emphasizes the crucial importance.

FAQs

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

Use "as substantial as a" to compare something's significance, amount, or impact to something else. For example, "The evidence was as substantial as a mountain, leaving no room for doubt."

What's a good alternative to "as substantial as a"?

You can use alternatives like "as significant as a", "as considerable as a", or "as meaningful as a depending on the specific context".

Is it appropriate to use "as substantial as a" in formal writing?

Yes, "as substantial as a" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when you need to emphasize the significant size, amount, or importance of something in a clear and impactful way.

What's the difference between "as substantial as a" and "as significant as a"?

"As substantial as a" emphasizes the amount, size, or concrete impact, while "as significant as a focuses on the importance or consequence". The choice depends on whether you want to stress the quantity or the importance.