by how substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by how substantial" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to discuss the degree or extent of something, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The report did not specify by how substantial the changes would impact the overall project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At a news conference in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Mr. Comey said he was surprised by how substantial the cuts would be on operations.

The New York Times

I have seen many cases in which judges are shocked by how substantial a verdict is; I have yet to see one where the court is shocked by how low the award is.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

By how well you can describe the effect of the iambic pentameter, not by a real opinion on Romeo's values or how substantial his love really is.

The Guardian

For Fuller, the biggest takeaway is that employers don't realize just how substantial the costs are to them by not providing meaningful benefits that would support caregivers.

Forbes

So how substantial is this benefit package?

The Guardian

How substantial are we when we are "lattices of mostly water, flowing side by side" ("Designs for the Water Garden")?

The Guardian - Books

What has yet to be established is how substantial the Iranian involvement was" — in other words, whether it had been promoted and sanctioned by the Iranian government.

The New Yorker

The real question is: how substantial were they?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The issue remains of how substantial the review is.

Independent

How substantial?

Forbes

That is how substantial it truly was in my life.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "by how substantial" with phrases like "to what extent" or "how significant" to improve readability and ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "by how substantial" in formal writing. It's often perceived as clumsy. Instead, opt for more direct and common alternatives like "to what extent" or "how significant."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how substantial" functions as an interrogative phrase that seeks to quantify or qualify the degree or extent of something. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not the most grammatically sound choice and can be improved with more direct alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by how substantial" can be used to inquire about the degree or extent of something, it's not the most grammatically sound or stylistically preferred option. Ludwig AI highlights that it's better to opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "to what extent", "how significant", or "how considerable". These alternatives enhance clarity and professionalism in writing, making them more suitable for formal contexts. The phrase's usage is infrequent and more prominent in general media and scientific content but is absent in academic contexts, according to the provided examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to what extent

Replaces the phrase with a more direct question about the degree or scope.

to what degree

Similar to "to what extent", focusing on the level or intensity.

how significant

Focuses on the importance or impact of something.

how large

Emphasizes the size or magnitude of something.

how considerable

Highlights the noteworthiness or importance of the amount.

how great

Highlights the intensity or magnitude.

how important

Shifts the focus to the relevance or value of something.

how much

Directly asks about the quantity or amount.

to what level

Focuses on the specific level or stage of something.

how appreciable

Emphasizes that the amount is noticeable or significant.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "by how substantial"?

Instead of "by how substantial", consider using phrases such as "to what extent", "how significant", or "how considerable" for clearer and more grammatically sound sentences. For example, instead of "the report didn't specify by how substantial the changes would be", use "the report didn't specify "to what extent" the changes would be".

Is the phrase "by how substantial" grammatically correct?

The phrase "by how substantial" is not considered grammatically optimal and can sound awkward. While it might be understood, it's better to use alternatives like "to what degree" or "how significant" for improved clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "by how substantial"?

Given its awkwardness, it's generally advisable to avoid "by how substantial" in formal or professional writing. In informal contexts, it might be acceptable if the meaning is clear, but even then, alternatives offer better style and precision.

What are some synonyms for "by how substantial" that I can use in my writing?

Synonyms include "to what extent", "how significant", "how considerable", "to what degree", and "how much". Using one of these alternatives can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.