made a substantial difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a substantial difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or event has had a significant impact or effect on a situation. Example: "The new policy implemented by the management made a substantial difference in employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As it turned out, the national surveys used a different definition of the full SDM package, which made a substantial difference in SDM availability and use.

Global health, science and practice

So far, nothing has made a substantial difference in Casey's behavior.

The New York Times - Health

In fact, here's a challenge: Can anybody think of a running mate who made a substantial difference?

The New Yorker

I think we had a moment some years ago where it might have made a substantial difference".

The Guardian

While Mr. Geithner accepted some blame, he took credit for regulatory efforts at the Fed that "made a substantial difference".

The New York Times

Though the higher prices can be a moderate nuisance to real estate businesses or home buyers, they have made a substantial difference to the county budget.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The underlying reason is that the line predicting true endpoint from potential surrogate endpoint has a sufficiently different slope for each randomization group to make a substantial difference in the conclusion.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The development "will make a substantial difference to the shortfall in London," he added.

The Guardian - Business

In fact, studies show class size makes a substantial difference in lower grades.

The New York Times

Their decisions make a substantial difference in the art's value.

The New York Times

"It's too early to tell whether these changes will make a substantial difference".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made a substantial difference" when you want to emphasize that an action or decision had a significant and noticeable impact. Be specific about what difference was made and how it was substantial.

Common error

Avoid using "made a substantial difference" when the actual impact was minimal or unnoticeable. Ensure the context clearly supports the claim of a significant change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a substantial difference" serves as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject has caused a significant change or impact. It functions to attribute a considerable effect to a specific action or event. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made a substantial difference" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a significant impact or change. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "had a significant impact" or "created a considerable change", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly supports the claim of a meaningful change to avoid overstating the impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a significant impact

Replaces "substantial difference" with "significant impact", focusing on the effect rather than the change itself. It's a more general term.

created a considerable change

Substitutes "substantial difference" with "considerable change", emphasizing the magnitude of the change.

brought about a marked improvement

Highlights the positive aspect of the difference, suggesting a noticeable enhancement.

yielded a noticeable effect

Focuses on the result or outcome of the action, rather than the change itself.

produced a tangible result

Emphasizes the concrete and measurable nature of the outcome.

effected a major transformation

Suggests a more complete or fundamental change than "made a substantial difference".

left a lasting impression

Highlights the enduring nature of the impact, implying a long-term effect.

had a profound influence

Emphasizes the depth and pervasiveness of the impact.

contributed significantly

Focuses on the contribution to an outcome, rather than the overall change.

played a pivotal role

Highlights the importance of the action in achieving a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "made a substantial difference" in a sentence?

You can use "made a substantial difference" to describe a significant impact or change resulting from an action or decision. For example, "The new policy "had a significant impact" on employee morale".

What are some alternatives to "made a substantial difference"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""had a significant impact"", "created a considerable change", or "brought about a marked improvement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "made a substantial difference" or "had a big impact"?

"Made a substantial difference" and "had a big impact" are similar, but "made a substantial difference" often implies a more concrete and measurable change. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "made a substantial difference" and "made a significant contribution"?

"Made a substantial difference" focuses on the overall change or impact, while "made a significant contribution" emphasizes the act of contributing to a particular outcome or goal. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the result or the action that led to it.