makes a substantial difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes a substantial difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has a significant impact or effect on a situation or outcome. Example: "Implementing this new policy makes a substantial difference in employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The matter, however, is not one of first impression, and that fact makes a substantial difference.

Cornell University

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

The New York Times

Why? Timelines for approval and permitting are currently so long in San Francisco that decreasing them, by for example, 33percentt, makes a substantial difference.

University of California, Berkeley

Having direct access to open space - a balcony, terrace or roof area - makes a substantial difference to the quality of everyday life.

The Guardian

It sounds trivial, but maximizing the physical space your body takes up makes a substantial difference in how your audience reacts to you, regardless of your height.

Harvard Business Review

"You'll spend less money over those first seven years if you've got a lower rate, but in terms of what the house will be worth," he said, "I'm not sure it makes a substantial difference".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 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

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

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

The Guardian - Business

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

The New York Times - Health

Choosing the right defense attorney can make a substantial difference in the result of your case.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes a substantial difference," provide concrete examples to illustrate the specific impact. This adds credibility and helps the audience grasp the magnitude of the effect.

Common error

Avoid using "makes a substantial difference" when the actual impact is minor or negligible. Overusing the phrase can dilute its meaning and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes a substantial difference" functions as a predicate in a sentence, emphasizing the impact or effect of a subject. As Ludwig AI points out, it is commonly used and grammatically correct. The examples highlight its role in illustrating significant effects in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "makes a substantial difference" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the significance of an impact or change. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted and appropriate across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While its use is common, it's important to ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis to avoid overstatement. Alternatives include "has a significant impact" and "creates a meaningful change", which can provide nuanced variations of the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a significant impact

Uses "impact" instead of "difference", focusing on the effect.

creates a meaningful change

Emphasizes the creation of a positive alteration.

effects considerable change

Uses a more formal tone, highlighting the change.

produces a major alteration

Focuses on the act of producing a significant alteration.

has a noteworthy effect

Highlights the noteworthiness of the effect.

is significantly influential

Emphasizes the influence of something in a significant way.

markedly improves the situation

Focuses on improving a situation in a noticeable manner.

generates a considerable shift

Highlights the generation of a noticeable shift or change.

promotes a considerable improvement

Focuses on promoting betterment.

exerts a powerful influence

Emphasizes the strength and impact of the influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "makes a substantial difference" to highlight the significant impact of an action or change. For example, "Implementing this new policy "makes a substantial difference" in employee productivity."

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

You can use alternatives such as "has a significant impact", "creates a meaningful change", or "effects considerable change" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "makes a substantial difference" in formal writing?

Yes, "makes a substantial difference" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure the context warrants its use to avoid exaggeration. Terms like "effects considerable change" might be preferrable.

What's the difference between "makes a substantial difference" and "makes a slight difference"?

"Makes a substantial difference" indicates a significant and noticeable impact, while "makes a slight difference" implies a small and subtle effect. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you want to convey.