"made a substantial impact" is correct and usable in written English.
It means that something or someone had a significant or strong influence or effect on something. Example: "Her research paper on climate change made a substantial impact on the scientific community, leading to new policies and initiatives being implemented."
Now, a year after the release of his Guitar Town album, a record that has made a substantial impact on country music and steady inroads into the rock market, Earle has arrived.
A successful second-term Labour government will need to be seen not only to have made a substantial impact on the delivery of public services and the quality of the public infrastructure - it will need to see the rate of productivity growth and British innovation pick up if it is to satisfy its own targets.
In Collecting Biennials, the Whitney less-than-subtly sticks it to critics with a lineup of artistic hall-of-famers, proof that the biennial has made a substantial impact on the art world over the years.
Jamell has held numerous leadership positions throughout various organizations and has made a substantial impact on all that he focused his gifts on.
In 2005 06, made a substantial impact on the WNCL for the first time, scoring 325 runs, more than twice her previous best season's total, playing in the first of five consecutive WNCL triumphs for New South Wales.
Evidence based medicine (EBM) has made a substantial impact on primary care in Spain over the last few years.
Both books make much of the notion that Merman, who died in 1984, was infuriated by her inability to make a substantial impact in Hollywood.
Financing for research and development must be increased at least five-fold to have any chance of making a substantial impact in the coming years.
In a 1998 interview with Hedge Fund News, an industry newsletter, Mr. Schaffran described Alliance's hedge funds as a "highly profitable business, which is making a substantial impact on the company's bottom line".
The result is at once impeccable – Stevie Stewart's form-fitting buff costumes, with their frills and piecrust collars, are winsomeness itself – and much too decorous to make a substantial impact.
The companies highlighted here are recognised not only for their innovations, but also their ability to bring these solutions to scale and make a substantial impact over the next five to 10 years.
