change substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

"change substantially" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a significant or noticeable change. Example: After implementing new policies, the company's profits changed substantially, increasing by 50% in just one year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, the Charterite positions did not change substantially.

The New Yorker

"We need to change substantially," Mr. Mikan said.

The New York Times

The Fox prime-time lineup will change substantially at midseason.

The New York Times

"The immigration debate will change substantially over the next 18-24 months," he said.

The Guardian

Every job in Britain will change to some extent and many will change substantially.

The Guardian

"These markets aren't going to disappear, but they are going to change substantially".

The New York Times - Tech

In our analysis, this will not change substantially the competition environment in each national market.

The New York Times

The total number of people who died in the earthquake could still change substantially over time.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Long-term budget forecasts are notoriously unreliable, and the fiscal outlook could change substantially based on how the economy performs.

The New York Times

But the NHS needs to change substantially".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing it with a more specific verb depending on the context (e.g., "increase substantially", "decrease substantially", "improve substantially", etc.) to provide more clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "change substantially" in very informal or casual writing can sound overly formal or stilted. In such contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "change a lot" or "change significantly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change substantially" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating the degree or extent of a change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying various subjects, from business strategies to market conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "change substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a significant alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts. Ludwig examples show the phrase's prevalence in both News & Media and scientific domains, and with far less occurrences in Formal & Business. While versatile, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings and to specify the nature of the change (e.g., increase, decrease, improve) for greater clarity. Related phrases, like "alter significantly" and "modify considerably", offer nuanced options for expressing similar ideas. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in casual writing to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alter significantly

This alternative replaces "change" with "alter" and "substantially" with "significantly", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

modify considerably

This phrase substitutes "change" with "modify" and "substantially" with "considerably", suggesting a notable degree of adjustment.

shift dramatically

This alternative replaces "change" with "shift" and "substantially" with "dramatically", emphasizing a sudden and noticeable change.

transform markedly

This option replaces "change" with "transform" and "substantially" with "markedly", indicating a significant change in form or appearance.

evolve noticeably

Here, "change" is replaced by "evolve" and "substantially" with "noticeably", suggesting a gradual but easily observed development.

improve significantly

This alternative focuses on positive change, replacing "change" with "improve" and "substantially" with "significantly", highlighting a beneficial alteration.

decline sharply

In contrast to improvement, this phrase focuses on negative change, suggesting a significant decrease or deterioration.

vary greatly

This alternative replaces "change" with "vary" and "substantially" with "greatly", indicating a wide range of differences or fluctuations.

fluctuate wildly

This phrase suggests erratic and unpredictable changes, emphasizing instability and lack of consistency.

undergo a major revision

This alternative is more specific, indicating a significant modification or overhaul of something, often a document or plan.

FAQs

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

You can use "change substantially" to describe a significant alteration. For example, "The company's strategy will change substantially next year."

What are some alternatives to "change substantially"?

Some alternatives include "alter significantly", "modify considerably", or "shift dramatically", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "change substantially" or "change significantly"?

Both "change substantially" and "change significantly" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on your desired tone and style. "Change substantially" might sound slightly more formal.

Can "change substantially" be used to describe both positive and negative changes?

Yes, "change substantially" can describe changes in any direction. However, for clarity, you can add an adjective like "improve substantially" for positive changes or "decline substantially" for negative ones.