can change substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can change substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to undergo significant alterations or transformations. Example: "The market conditions can change substantially, affecting our investment strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A party's fortunes can change substantially not only by changing a group's majority support from one party to the other but also by making a party's majority a little less overwhelming within a single demographic group.

The New Yorker

"But since the market is so volatile, your perception can change substantially in a couple of weeks".

The New York Times

Player safety might be a long-term concern – and whether worries about player safety will mean fewer children play the sport to begin with – but if the league can change substantially enough to mitigate those issues, there would seem to be little that could immediately damage the N.F.L.'s popularity.

The New York Times

The application format can change substantially even over a period of months.

Science Magazine

The nutrient content of stream water can change substantially after afforestation.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The sample profile shows the magnetic field behavior of the Sq current system at mid-latitudes during quiet-time, but it is worth noting that the structure of this profile can change substantially during disturbed conditions.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Drug prices can be expected to change substantially as a result of contractual negotiations with manufacturers (although our results indicate stockpiling may remain cost-saving even if drug costs are more than tripled, as would be the case if preprepared capsules are purchased).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

If the surveys included different time-points with increasing levels of household internet access, and if we assume that over the time period in which these surveys were conducted the size of the MSM population didn't change substantially, an SSD can be calculated for the respective consecutive surveys (see Additional file 2).

BMC Public Health

It has been shown that in an epistatic 2 locus model, the effects of a single gene may be impacted by variants elsewhere in the genome and that when variants at a second unmeasured locus differ in allele frequencies among populations power to detect association at the first locus can be changed substantially among them [31].

Plosone

But the NHS needs to change substantially".

BBC

The results did not change substantially.

Triple Helix

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can change substantially", ensure the context clearly indicates what factors might influence the change. For example, "Consumer preferences can change substantially in response to effective marketing campaigns".

Common error

Avoid using "will change substantially" when "can change substantially" is more appropriate. "Can" indicates a possibility, while "will" implies certainty. Overstating the certainty can mislead the audience if the change is not guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can change substantially" functions as a modal phrase expressing the potential for significant alteration or transformation. It indicates that something is susceptible to undergoing a notable change, but it does not guarantee that such a change will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can change substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the possibility of a notable alteration. It is found in varied contexts, including science, news, and business. According to Ludwig, it’s a valid phrase suitable for many circumstances. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides clarity on what factors might influence the change and avoid overstating the certainty of the change by using "will" instead of "can" when the change is not guaranteed. Alternatives such as "may alter significantly" or "might shift considerably" can be used to add nuance. Overall, "can change substantially" is a versatile phrase for expressing potential for significant change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may alter significantly

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility, and "substantially" with "significantly", implying a notable degree of change.

might shift considerably

"Might" offers a slightly more tentative possibility than "can", and "considerably" emphasizes a noticeable shift.

could vary greatly

Substitutes "change" with "vary", implying fluctuation, and "substantially" with "greatly", indicating a large extent.

is subject to significant modification

More formal; replaces "can change" with "is subject to modification", and "substantially" with "significant", indicating potential for notable alterations.

is liable to transform markedly

This phrase introduces an element of likelihood ("liable") and uses "transform" instead of "change", further emphasizing a visible difference or change.

has the potential to evolve considerably

Suggests a gradual development or unfolding (evolve), while "considerably" emphasizes the extent of the change.

is capable of undergoing substantial alteration

A more formal and verbose alternative that highlights the capacity for significant change.

can experience a major revision

Focuses on the outcome as a "major revision", emphasizing a formal or structural alteration.

may be drastically different

"Drastically different" suggests a more extreme level of change compared to "substantially".

is prone to fluctuate wildly

This alternative suggests instability and erratic movement, implying an unpredictable series of changes.

FAQs

How do I use "can change substantially" in a sentence?

Use "can change substantially" to indicate that something has the potential for significant alteration. For example, "Investment returns can change substantially depending on market conditions."

What are some alternatives to "can change substantially"?

You can use alternatives like "may alter significantly", "might shift considerably", or "could vary greatly" depending on the context.

When is it more appropriate to use "will change substantially" instead of "can change substantially"?

"Will change substantially" implies a higher degree of certainty than "can change substantially". Use "will" when the change is highly probable or guaranteed based on current information. But be careful of overstating, as pointed out in the 'Most Common Errors' section.

Is "can substantially change" different from "can change substantially"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "can change substantially" is more common and natural-sounding. "Can substantially change" might be used for emphasis, but it's less conventional.