by a substantial amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a substantial amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a significant difference or increase in quantity, degree, or extent. Example: "The new marketing strategy increased sales by a substantial amount compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

In contrast, policies that automatically saved a portion of a worker's income increased total savings by a substantial amount.

The New York Times

The simple fact is that Americans will gain substantially lower prices for gasoline only if oil exporters decide to increase production by a substantial amount.

The New York Times

This makes it much more difficult for any individual player to exceed it by a substantial amount, particularly over a very large number of attempts.

The New York Times - Sports

"When we look at the history of energy – in Europe, the US, China – economic development was realised by a substantial amount of coal.

The Guardian

"Every year we've managed to exceed our expectations by a substantial amount, but this year we missed the projection," said Julia Erickson, the executive director.

The New York Times

One source in the thick of euro zone crisis management said it would make sense to "bite the bullet" and cut Greece's debt by a substantial amount.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

There is money aplenty and, by now, a substantial amount of power.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, Representative Rafael Anchia, Democrat of Dallas, introduced House Bill 723, which would set a goal of 1,500 megawatts of non-wind renewable installations by 2022, a substantial amount.

The New York Times

By 1885 a substantial amount of indirect evidence indicated that chromosomes dark-staining threads in the chromosomes dark-staininginformathreadsr cell herediny.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By building a substantial amount of the car from carbon fiber hardened with epoxy and molded into components, BMW aims to offset the additional weight that batteries add to the car and increase its range.

The New York Times

Simply put, sea ice helps regulate our climate and oceans by reflecting a substantial amount of the sun's energy back into space.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by a substantial amount", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured or compared. For example, "Sales increased by a substantial amount" is improved by specifying "Sales increased by a substantial amount compared to the previous quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "by a substantial amount" when the quantity is not measurable or clear. Instead of saying "Efforts increased by a substantial amount", provide specific details or metrics to quantify the increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a substantial amount" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the extent or degree to which something has changed, increased, or decreased. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by a substantial amount" is a versatile expression used to indicate a significant difference or increase. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly found in both formal and informal contexts, especially in news, science, and business writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides a clear reference point for what is being measured. While alternatives like "by a considerable degree" or "by a significant margin" exist, "by a substantial amount" remains a solid and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a considerable degree

Focuses on the extent or level of increase, emphasizing a significant change.

by a significant margin

Highlights the difference between two quantities, showing that one surpasses the other notably.

to a great extent

Emphasizes the degree to which something is affected or influenced.

in large measure

Indicates a significant proportion or contribution.

significantly

Single-word adverb conveying the idea of a notable change or impact.

considerably

Similar to 'significantly', but may imply a more measurable difference.

by a large extent

Highlights the expansive nature of the increase or difference.

by a marked degree

Implies that the increase or change is easily noticeable or distinct.

by a good deal

Suggests a noteworthy but not necessarily overwhelming amount.

by a hefty sum

Focuses on the numerical or monetary aspect of the amount.

FAQs

How can I use "by a substantial amount" in a sentence?

You can use "by a substantial amount" to describe a significant increase or difference. For example, "The company's profits increased "by a substantial amount" this year."

What are some alternatives to "by a substantial amount"?

Some alternatives include "by a considerable degree", "by a significant margin", or "to a great extent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "by a considerable amount" instead of "by a substantial amount"?

Both phrases are relatively formal. However, "by a considerable amount" might be perceived as slightly more formal in certain contexts, but the difference is minimal.

When should I use "by a substantial amount" versus "by a large amount"?

"By a substantial amount" implies a more significant quantity or degree than "by a large amount". Use "by a substantial amount" when you want to emphasize a particularly noteworthy difference.