it can be substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the significance or importance of something in a particular context. Example: "The impact of climate change on biodiversity can be substantial, affecting ecosystems worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The customs piece of it can be substantial.

The New York Times

"It can be substantial when the market is in turmoil," he said.

The New York Times

"This is a situation where you have had just a little bit of change in any one year, but when you add up 10 years, it can be substantial," said John Mollenkopf, director of the Center for Urban Research at the graduate center of the City University of New York.

The New York Times

The overall direction of the bias can be up or down depending on the genetic architecture of the trait, but it can be substantial in realistic scenarios.

The American Journal of Human Genetics

While the exact number of redundant retransmissions depends on how many vehicles have received the ACK packet, it can be substantial in poor channel conditions.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It could be shown that the prevalence of ruminal acidosis varies considerably between herds and that it can be substantial: 42% of the farms examinedhas at least three animals with a pH of 5.5 or below andwere therefore shown to be likely experiencing SARA.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And for those lucky ones that get it right, the rewards can be substantial - e-book sales in the US grew by almost 50% last year and more than doubled in the UK, while traditional print book sales continued to stagnate or dwindle.

BBC

It adds up and can be substantial.

Huffington Post

From just a few well-studied species, it is clear that genetic variability can be substantial and that it differs in extent between species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whether it's a new kitchen, a remodeled bath, or an added room, the costs can be substantial; it's best to know the price tag upfront.

Huffington Post

It was concluded that RSM can be substantial source of P, as well as protein and energy for broiler chickens.

Livestock Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can be substantial", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Clarity is crucial for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it can be substantial" without specifying the 'it'. Vague references can confuse readers; provide concrete examples or quantifiable data to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be substantial" functions as a statement emphasizing the potential magnitude or importance of something. It typically describes a quantity, impact, or effect. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it can be substantial" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to emphasize the potential significance or magnitude of something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and suitability across various contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources, with a neutral register making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to, to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "it could be considerable" or "it might be significant" can be used to provide similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be considerable

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable", suggesting a similar level of significance or amount.

it might be significant

Substitutes "substantial" with "significant", indicating importance or consequence.

it may prove significant

Uses "may prove significant" to convey a sense of potential future importance.

it can amount to a lot

Emphasizes the cumulative effect or total value.

it has the potential to be significant

Highlights the inherent possibility for something to be important.

it's not insignificant

Expresses that something has a noticeable effect or value by using a double negative.

it can represent a large portion

Focuses on the proportional size or impact of something.

the impact may be considerable

Switches focus to the impact or effect while maintaining the sense of significance.

it could turn out to be large

Implies a future outcome where the amount or size is considerable.

the result can be meaningful

Shifts emphasis to the meaningfulness or importance of a result.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be substantial" in a sentence?

Use "it can be substantial" to indicate that something has a significant impact, amount, or effect. For example, "The cost savings "can be substantial" when switching to renewable energy."

What are some alternatives to "it can be substantial"?

Alternatives include "it can be significant", "it can be considerable", or "it "can amount to a lot"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it can be substantial"?

Yes, "it can be substantial" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts.

In what contexts is "it can be substantial" commonly used?

"It can be substantial" is frequently used in news, science, and business contexts to emphasize the significance of a particular factor or outcome. For instance, "The impact on a company's bottom line "can be substantial"."