be substantial enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be substantial enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether something meets a certain level of significance or importance. Example: "The evidence must be substantial enough to support the claims made in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Tagout devices, including and their means of attachment, shall be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal.

Cornell University

There is no formal length requirement for the writing sample; it should be substantial enough to display the analytical and expositional skills relevant to scholarly work.

University of California, Berkeley

Neither will the plans be substantial enough to help rebalance the economy, as the chancellor claims to want, from consumer spending to exports; from south to north.

The Guardian

As crucial to the dish is the bread, which must be substantial enough to withstand a dip or two in the cooking juices of the meat.

The Washington Post

Investment projects already under way should be substantial enough to stop African GDP growth from collapsing.Nor does a general squeeze on public spending look imminent.

The Economist

Although the literature presently available would suggest that smoke filtration provided by current charcoal filter techniques alone may not be substantial enough to reduce smoking-related disease, the data are limited.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Peaches are substantial enough to handle flame.

The Washington Post

But they are substantial enough to generate profit.

The New York Times

In fact, many starters, at from $11 to $16, are substantial enough to be entrees.

The New York Times

Few items, except for maybe the wings, are substantial enough to be main courses.

The New York Times - Food

It was substantial enough to hold and distribute heat evenly without being unbearably heavy.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be substantial enough to" when you want to emphasize that something isn't just enough, but noticeably so.

Common error

Avoid using "be substantial enough to" in contexts where a simpler term like "adequate" or "sufficient" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be substantial enough to" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating that something possesses a degree of significance or size that is adequate for a particular purpose. It describes a quality or state, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be substantial enough to" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for expressing that something meets a necessary threshold or requirement, with emphasis on significance. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When writing, consider if simpler alternatives like "adequate" or "sufficient" might be more appropriate, and use "be substantial enough to" when you want to highlight the notable or significant nature of something's adequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be significant enough to

Emphasizes the importance or impact rather than just size or amount.

be adequate enough to

Focuses on whether something meets a minimum requirement or standard.

be sufficient enough to

Highlights the idea of having just enough to meet a need.

be large enough to

Focuses specifically on the size or quantity being adequate.

be considerable enough to

Suggests something is worthy of attention due to its size or impact.

be powerful enough to

Indicates the strength or capability is sufficient.

be ample enough to

Implies there's more than enough of something.

be appreciable enough to

Highlights that something is noticeable or measurable to a satisfying degree.

be marked enough to

Focuses on distinctiveness or obviousness of something.

be noticeable enough to

Emphasizes that something is easily observed or detected.

FAQs

How can I use "be substantial enough to" in a sentence?

Use "be substantial enough to" to indicate that something is not just adequate, but notably so for a specific purpose. For example, "The investment needs to "be substantial enough to" cover all the project costs."

What are some alternatives to "be substantial enough to"?

You can use alternatives like "be significant enough to", "be adequate enough to", or "be sufficient enough to" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "substantial enough"?

While "substantial" already implies a significant amount, using "enough" clarifies that it meets a specific requirement or purpose. The phrase isn't strictly redundant but consider whether "substantial" alone conveys your intended meaning effectively.

When is "be substantial enough to" more appropriate than "be large enough to"?

"Be substantial enough to" is better when referring to the significance or impact, while "be large enough to" focuses on physical size or quantity. For example, "The donation needs to "be substantial enough to" make a difference," versus, "The container must be large enough to hold all the materials."