fairly substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considerable or significant in size, amount, or degree, but not excessively so. Example: "The research showed that there was a fairly substantial increase in productivity after the new policies were implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That appears to be a fairly substantial departure for you.

The New Yorker

Also, the revisions to jobs figures can be fairly substantial.

The New York Times

Both teams went through fairly substantial off-season makeovers.

The New York Times - Sports

The difference between top and bottom is fairly substantial.

The Economist

So you have almost 3 million visitors, which makes it a fairly substantial cultural force.

The New York Times - Arts

But it's got to be a fairly substantial amount — at least $2 billion or $3 billion.

The New York Times

"I think I'm making a fairly substantial contribution here," he said.

The New York Times

"Port Augusta can be the catalyst for the creation of a fairly substantial industry in Australia.

The Guardian

"In an environment of declining default rates, investors are locking in fairly substantial returns".

The New York Times

"So when you have 500 or 1,000 people who are misallocated, it's a fairly substantial issue.

The New York Times

We've had a 1-21-2%crease in mileage every year with a fairly substantial reduction in subsidy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly substantial" to describe amounts, sizes, or degrees that are noteworthy but not extreme. This phrase is suitable when you want to convey a sense of significance without exaggerating.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly substantial" in highly informal settings or casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it may sound overly formal or stilted in such contexts. Instead, opt for more casual alternatives like "pretty big" or "quite a bit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly substantial" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a considerable or significant degree. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to describe quantities, sizes, or impacts that are noteworthy but not exceptionally high.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly substantial" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something of considerable size, amount, or degree. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in News & Media and Science, holding a neutral register that is suitable for professional and formal contexts while being less appropriate for casual conversation. When using "fairly substantial", remember that it implies significance without exaggeration. For alternative phrasings, consider "quite significant" or "reasonably considerable" to tailor your message more precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite significant

Indicates a noticeable and important degree, emphasizing the impact of the amount.

reasonably considerable

Suggests a noteworthy amount that is within acceptable limits or expectations.

moderately large

Focuses on the size aspect, implying it is bigger than average but not extremely so.

somewhat sizable

Implies the amount is clearly noticeable, but not overwhelming.

appreciably large

Highlights that the amount is easily perceived or recognized as being large.

noticeably significant

Emphasizes that the amount is easily perceived and has importance.

markedly considerable

Indicates a noticeable degree, emphasizing the clarity of the amount.

relatively high

Implies the amount is high compared to a reference point, but doesn't stand out exceptionally.

measurably large

Focuses on the fact that the amount can be quantified and is larger than expected.

distinctly important

Highlights that the degree is noticeable and is not to be ignored.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly substantial" to describe something that is considerable in size, amount, or degree. For example, "The company invested a fairly substantial amount in research and development."

What are some alternatives to "fairly substantial"?

You can use alternatives like "quite significant", "reasonably considerable", or "moderately large", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "fairly substantial" in formal writing?

Yes, "fairly substantial" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a sense of importance without being overly emphatic and is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "fairly substantial" and "very substantial"?

"Fairly substantial" suggests a considerable amount that is noteworthy but not extreme, while "very substantial" indicates a much greater degree. The choice depends on the magnitude you want to convey.