made substantial start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made substantial start" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "made a substantial start" to be grammatically accurate. Example: "The team has made a substantial start on the project, completing the initial phases ahead of schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The institute had made substantial start-up investments in this program but due to issues regarding agreements on accreditation, the course was never properly launched and this venture undermined the financial viability of the institute for several years.

Health Research Policy and Systems

But we have made substantial progress toward each other since people started reporting that number".

The New York Times - Sports

We end the follow-up period in 2007 because of the severe recession that started in the last quarter of 2007 and because SSA made substantial changes to TTW regulations in 2008 that may have affected beneficiary outcomes in 2008 and later.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Labor made substantial concessions.

The New York Times

"We've made substantial progress.

The New York Times

He said Mahler subsequently made substantial revisions.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless, they have made substantial progress.

The New York Times

"I think we've made substantial strides".

The New York Times

But the industry has made substantial cuts.

Forbes

Technology stocks also made substantial gains.

Los Angeles Times

"We have made substantial progress this year.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the beginning of a project, consider using the grammatically correct phrase "made a substantial start" or alternatives like "achieved significant progress" or "established a solid foundation" for clearer communication.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the article 'a' before 'substantial start', resulting in the grammatically incorrect phrase "made substantial start". Always include the article for proper grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made substantial start" functions as a verbal phrase intended to describe the initiation of an action or project. Ludwig AI indicates that the grammatically correct form is "made a substantial start."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "made substantial start" aims to convey that something has begun significantly, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI emphasizes the correct form is "made a substantial start". Its use is rare and found in diverse sources, including news and scientific articles. For better clarity and correctness, consider alternatives like "made a significant beginning" or "achieved considerable progress". Remember to include the article 'a' for grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a significant beginning

Replaces 'substantial start' with 'significant beginning', improving grammatical correctness and clarity.

made considerable progress

Focuses on the progress aspect, implying forward movement rather than just initiation. It's grammatically sound and widely used.

achieved a promising kickoff

Uses 'kickoff' to emphasize the start, while 'promising' suggests potential. More informal than "made substantial start".

established a solid foundation

Highlights the creation of a base for future development, shifting the focus from the start itself to the groundwork laid.

initiated significant advancements

More formal, emphasizing the advancements that have begun, rather than the act of starting itself.

commenced a major undertaking

Highlights the ambitious nature of the start, using 'major undertaking' to convey the scale of the endeavor.

started with considerable investment

Focuses on the resources invested at the beginning, useful when the financial aspect is important.

embarked on a significant venture

A more formal and literary alternative, implying a risky or daring start.

got off to a strong start

An idiomatic and informal alternative, implying a successful beginning.

launched an ambitious program

Emphasizes the launch of a structured initiative, suitable when referring to formal projects or plans.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "made substantial start"?

The grammatically correct version is "made a substantial start". Alternatively, consider using phrases like "made significant progress" or "achieved a considerable beginning".

What are some alternatives to "made substantial start"?

You can use phrases like "made a promising beginning", "achieved considerable progress", or "established a solid foundation" depending on the context.

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

Example: "The team "made a substantial start" on the project by completing the initial phases ahead of schedule."

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

"Made substantial start" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article 'a'. The correct phrase is "made a substantial start", which means to have begun something in a significant way.