make up a substantial part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up a substantial part" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the significance or contribution of a particular element within a larger context, such as a report, study, or group. Example: "The research findings indicate that renewable energy sources make up a substantial part of the country's energy consumption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Photographs, almost all black and white, make up a substantial part of this exhibition.

The New York Times

And Mike Huckabee of Arkansas won the caucuses in Iowa powered by social conservatives who make up a substantial part of its population.

The New York Times

They can survive for a decade without eating (tiny cave shrimp make up a substantial part of their diet), and they breed only once every six or seven years.

The New Yorker

Google, it's known, pays Apple handsomely for its position as the search engine of choice on iOS devices (the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) which make up a substantial part of mobile search queries.

The Guardian - Tech

At Rizzoli bookstores, books with New York themes make up a substantial part of the chain's sales, with perennial sellers like "Timeless New York," a collection of the photographer Paul Coughlin's sepia-colored scenes of the city.

The New York Times

While the Vietnamese community makes up roughly 9 percent of the vote here, history has shown that these residents go to the polls in far larger numbers than their Latino counterparts, who are estimated at more than 60 percent of registered voters and make up a substantial part of Ms. Sanchez's base.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Mr. Frisell's album represents a labor of love as well as a crossover attempt: this music makes up a substantial part of his DNA.

The New York Times - Arts

Pierce, a writer at large for Esquire, immersed himself in the science of genetics, the engrossing exposition of which makes up a substantial part of the book.

The New York Times - Books

Amino acids N137 and P140 in the p51 subunit of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) are part of the β7 β8-loop that contributes to the formation of the base of the non-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI)-binding pocket and makes up a substantial part of the dimerization interface.

FEBS Letters

Work with home care patients thus made up a substantial part of these doctors' day to day work.

BMC Family Practice

Workers from other member states also make up a substantial portion of seasonal workers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up a substantial part", ensure the subject it refers to is quantifiable or clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what percentage or amount constitutes the 'substantial part'.

Common error

Avoid using "make up a substantial part" when the actual contribution is minimal. Quantify the contribution whenever possible to ensure accuracy and avoid misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up a substantial part" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something constitutes a significant portion of a larger whole. Ludwig shows various contexts where this phrase is used to describe the composition or contribution of something to a greater entity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make up a substantial part" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a significant component of a larger whole. Ludwig confirms that its usage is acceptable in various contexts, primarily in news, science, and formal business settings. It's important to ensure that when using this phrase, the subject is clearly defined and, if possible, quantified to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "constitute a significant portion" or "comprise a large fraction", although the original phrase maintains a versatile neutrality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute a significant portion

Replaces "make up" with "constitute" and "substantial part" with "significant portion", focusing on composition and importance.

form a considerable segment

Uses "form" instead of "make up" and "considerable segment" for a noteworthy section.

comprise a large fraction

Employs "comprise" to indicate inclusion and "large fraction" to highlight the quantity.

represent a major share

Uses "represent" to show depiction and "major share" to denote prominence.

account for a sizable chunk

Replaces "make up" with "account for" and "substantial part" with the more informal "sizable chunk".

constitute a major element

Similar meaning, emphasizing the role of the element.

form a notable component

Slightly more formal, emphasizing that the component is worth paying attention to.

make up a considerable amount

Replace the word "part" with "amount", focusing on the quantity.

compose a significant piece

The alternative utilizes "compose", implying the phrase creates a notable division.

contribute a hefty portion

Highlights contribution and uses a casual term, "hefty".

FAQs

How can I use "make up a substantial part" in a sentence?

Use "make up a substantial part" to indicate that something forms a significant portion of a whole. For example, "Renewable energy sources "make up a substantial part" of the country's energy mix."

What are some alternatives to "make up a substantial part"?

You can use alternatives like "constitute a significant portion", "comprise a large fraction", or "represent a major share" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "make up a substantial part" or "constitute a significant portion"?

Constitute a significant portion is generally considered more formal than "make up a substantial part". "Make up a substantial part" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

When should I quantify what "makes up a substantial part"?

It's best practice to quantify the contribution whenever possible, especially in formal writing. For example, instead of saying "Regulations "make up a substantial part" of the company's expenses", specify "Regulations make up 30% of the company's expenses."