how considerable

USAGE SUMMARY

'how considerable' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe the degree or amount of something. For example, "I was surprised by how considerable the damages were."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

How considerable is this money?

The New York Times

Most people do not realise quite how considerable our humanitarian effort is in Syria.

The Guardian

Readers of Mr Appiah's "Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers" (published by Norton in 2006) will know how considerable this debt has been.

The Economist

Distinctly high rates of residential segregation testify to African Americans' collective conclusion that, no matter how considerable the differences and diversity among them, they are better off together.

The Guardian - Books

Now, how considerable the drop has been, and whether use was "infinitesimal" at the time of the panel - now disbanded because the owners insisted on mandatory testing - no one knows.

The New York Times - Sports

Let anyone take a file of this paper, or for that matter any one of half a dozen other papers, and compare its whole make-up and leading features today with what they were five years ago, ten years ago, twenty years ago, and he will realise how large has been the growth, how considerable the achievement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Until now, companies were designed to get more efficient by growing ever larger, and that's how they created considerable economic value.

Harvard Business Review

The works themselves reveal how Kline's considerable talents for drawing and painting culminate in the architectonic calligraphies of his mature style.

The New York Times - Arts

There are many parallels between the two cities, both in terms of size, and how each holds considerable financial and cultural sway over the countries and continents, where they are located.

Urban Energy Transition From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Power

How do his (considerable) blind spots in Watchman influence how we understand the whole character?

Huffington Post

We don't know how much, but considerable damage," Clark said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how considerable" to introduce a question or reflection on the size, amount, or importance of something, especially when contrasting it with a prior observation or expectation.

Common error

While "how considerable" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in informal writing. Opt for more direct alternatives like "how much" or "how big" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how considerable" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase modifying an adjective or noun. It introduces a question or reflection on the extent, amount, or degree of something. It's frequently used to express surprise or to prompt further evaluation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how considerable" serves as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the degree or extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and primarily found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While not incorrect in other settings, it maintains a neutral register that may feel out of place in very informal conversations. Keep in mind the alternatives such as "how significant", "how substantial", or "to what extent", can be used for a slightly different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to what extent

Focuses on the degree or scope of something, rather than its inherent quantity.

to what degree

Similar to "to what extent" but slightly more formal.

how significant

Emphasizes the importance or impact rather than the amount.

how substantial

Highlights the solidity or material existence of something to a degree.

how large

Focuses on physical size or scope instead of importance.

how great

Indicates a high degree or intensity rather than sheer quantity.

how important

Shifts the focus to the relevance or value of something.

how impactful

Directly addresses the effect or influence of something.

how vast

Implies immensity or extensive scope, often used for abstract concepts.

how meaningful

Highlights the significance or purpose behind something.

FAQs

How can I use "how considerable" in a sentence?

You can use "how considerable" to inquire about the extent or degree of something. For example, "I was surprised by "how considerable" the damage was after the storm."

What are some alternatives to "how considerable"?

Alternatives include "how significant", "how substantial", or "to what extent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how considerable" formal or informal?

"How considerable" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "how big" or "how much", making it suitable for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "how considerable" and "how significant"?

"How considerable" generally refers to the amount or size of something, while "how significant" emphasizes the importance or impact. The best choice depends on whether you want to stress the quantity or the importance.