i think substantively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "i think substantively" is not correct in written English due to the lowercase "i." You can use it when expressing a belief or opinion that is based on substantial evidence or reasoning.
Example: "In discussing the implications of the policy change, I think substantively about its long-term effects on the community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That said, I think substantively the pick is a triumph.

The New York Times

And I think substantively she was wrong, but that wasn't the point.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Gore comes off to me as a guy who has absolute confidence in what should be done and really isn't all that interested in what you think substantively," said Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., a Delaware Democrat who supported Mr. Gore in the primaries.

The New York Times

For one, I think the agreement should substantively be treated as a treaty.

The Washington Post

The Democrats approached that, unfortunately, with the McGovern people, Nixon helped maneuver that, but in fact, substantively, I think that the Republican electorate is even further away from there.

The New Yorker

Beyond the stimulus, how do you assess the president's economic record? Substantively, I think Obama's first term will be remembered for one huge domestic policy accomplishment — health care reform — which will help the country for generations to come.

The New York Times

"I think she needs to really substantively explain why Trump's policy would weaken the US," he said.

The Guardian

"I think people do need to learn some things very substantively.

The Guardian - Business

"I think McCain is beginning to come across as stylistically Dole and substantively Bush, and I can't imagine a worse combination to go into a general election in a year when people want change".

Huffington Post

Mr Scott says the government did not "substantively" consult the ABC about the Australia Network's future: "I think a decision was simply made to chop the service".The demise of the Australia Network follows a steady erosion of Australia's overseas diplomatic budgets, under both left and right, over recent years.

The Economist

"I think it is very courageous," said Mr. Weitz, who added that his name has not appeared substantively in Women's Wear Daily for more than five years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always capitalize the first-person pronoun "I". Check that the phrase is not used in contexts where a more formal expression of opinion is needed. Be mindful that using it could be seen as grammatically incorrect.

Common error

The most common error is failing to capitalize "I." This makes the phrase grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Ensure "I" is always capitalized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I think substantively" functions as an introductory clause modifying the main statement that follows. It indicates that the speaker's opinion or assessment is based on a careful evaluation of the core aspects or substance of the matter. Ludwig AI's assessment underscores that this phrase requires grammatical correction to be considered correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I think substantively" aims to introduce a thoughtful and well-considered opinion. However, it is crucial to remember to capitalize the first-person pronoun “I”, as noted by Ludwig AI, because without the uppercase “I” it is grammatically incorrect. Grammatical correctness and formality depend on the overall context. Related alternatives include "I believe fundamentally" and "I consider meaningfully", which offer similar emphasis on careful evaluation. Although sources using this phrase are generally authoritative, ensuring correct grammar is important for credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe fundamentally

Replaces "think substantively" with "believe fundamentally", emphasizing a deeply held conviction.

I consider meaningfully

Emphasizes thoughtful consideration using "consider meaningfully" instead of a direct belief.

in my substantive opinion

Inverts the structure to highlight a "substantive opinion", which focuses on the well-founded nature of the opinion.

I hold the firm belief

Highlights a strong conviction using "firm belief" rather than implying thoughtful consideration.

my considered assessment is

Replaces "I think" with "my considered assessment is", which is a more formal way of expressing an opinion based on reflection.

I conclude decisively

Implies a firm judgment has been made, replacing the open-ended "I think" with a stronger term.

I surmise with conviction

Conveys a belief based on incomplete evidence but stated with certainty.

it's my reasoned judgment

Focuses on judgment derived from reason rather than just a general thought.

I judge based on substance

Focuses on making a judgment based on the core facts.

taking everything into account, I think

Adds an introductory phrase to specify that the speaker has considered all available information.

FAQs

Why is "i think substantively" considered incorrect?

The phrase is considered incorrect because the first-person pronoun "I" is not capitalized. In English, "I" should always be capitalized.

What are some alternatives to "i think substantively" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "I believe fundamentally", "I consider meaningfully", or "in my substantive opinion". These phrases offer similar emphasis on thoughtful consideration but with proper capitalization.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "I think substantively"?

While grammatically incorrect, if corrected to “I think substantively” it could be used in informal contexts where expressing a belief based on substantial evidence or reasoning is desired. However, more formal alternatives are generally preferred.

How does using "I think substantively" change the tone of a sentence?

Even if corrected to I think substantively, it adds a tone of reasoned consideration. However, due to its potential for being perceived as grammatically incorrect, it may detract from the credibility of the statement.