can be substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to be significant or considerable in size, amount, or impact. Example: "The financial support from the government can be substantial, helping many businesses survive the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For moderately sized correlations, the bias can be substantial.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The costs can be substantial.

The Economist

The savings can be substantial.

The New York Times

These fees can be substantial.

The New York Times

Surcharges can be substantial.

The New York Times - Tech

Still, the benefits can be substantial.

The New York Times

Savings can be substantial, Mr. Blanco said.

The New York Times

The potential payoff can be substantial.

The New York Times

And the monthly savings can be substantial.

The New York Times

Sometimes the difference can be substantial.

The New York Times - Travel

The lures can be substantial.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be substantial" to highlight the potential for a significant impact, amount, or degree, avoiding weaker or less specific terms.

Common error

Avoid using "can be substantial" without providing context or quantifiable data to support the claim; otherwise, it may sound like an exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be substantial" functions as a modal verb phrase modifying an adjective. According to Ludwig, it expresses the possibility or potential for something to be significant in amount, size, or impact. It suggests a degree of uncertainty while highlighting the potential magnitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be substantial" is a versatile expression used to denote the potential for significance in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse domains, including news, science, and business. While it emphasizes possibility, it also calls for providing context or evidence to support the claim. Alternatives like "can be significant" or "can be considerable" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Therefore, using "can be substantial" appropriately can effectively highlight the potential impact or magnitude of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be significant

Replaces "substantial" with a more general term for importance or consequence.

can be considerable

Uses a slightly more formal synonym for "substantial", suggesting a noticeable degree or amount.

can be sizable

Focuses on the physical size or amount being large.

can be noteworthy

Highlights that something is worthy of attention or recognition.

can be appreciable

Indicates that something is large enough to be perceived or estimated.

can be marked

Emphasizes that something is easily noticeable or distinct.

can be pronounced

Suggests something is very noticeable or obvious.

can be impactful

Highlights the effect or influence that something can have.

can carry weight

Implies that something is important or influential.

can pack a punch

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest something has a strong effect.

FAQs

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

The phrase "can be substantial" indicates that something has the potential to be significant in size, amount, or impact. For example, "The cost savings "can be substantial" if you implement these energy-efficient measures."

What are some alternatives to "can be substantial"?

You can use alternatives like "can be significant", "can be considerable", or "can be sizable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "can be substantial" in writing?

Use "can be substantial" when you want to emphasize that something has the potential to be large, important, or impactful. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Is there a difference between "can be substantial" and "is substantial"?

"Can be substantial" implies a potential or possibility, while "is substantial" indicates a present and confirmed state. For example, "The benefits of exercise "can be substantial"" suggests potential benefits, whereas "The benefits of exercise are substantial" asserts that the benefits are already significant.