more or less substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more or less substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is somewhat significant or considerable, but not entirely so. Example: "The evidence presented was more or less substantial, leading the jury to deliberate carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the case of ME normativity, the arguments may be more or less direct, depending on more or less substantial assumptions about meaning.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They again formed geographically cohesive but more or less overlapping groups and a substantial number of individuals now appears admixed.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

As a previous biographer, Richard Hall, noted in 1974 in a more readable, but less substantial, life of Stanley, the man was a chronic liar.

The Economist

We also found the isthmus in the elderly to be more distal and less substantial than in the younger bone.

Injury

The NRY haplogroup frequencies reflect male-specific gene flow from Southeast Asia, although they do not preclude more recent but less substantial contributions from northern populations such as that of Taiwan.

Plosone

More or less hidden alcohol abuse constitutes one of the greatest public health problems, with substantial social and clinical implications.

Clinical Epidemiology

(Mixtapes, more or less).

The New Yorker

More or less.

The New York Times

Bribery, more or less.

The New Yorker

"More or less," he said.

The New York Times

It more or less does.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more or less substantial" to accurately convey a degree of significance that is neither minimal nor overwhelmingly large. This nuanced phrasing allows for precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "more or less substantial" when referring to something that is clearly insignificant or completely dominant. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the true degree of importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more or less substantial" functions as a degree modifier, indicating that something is partially or moderately significant. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more or less substantial" serves as a degree modifier to indicate a partial or moderate level of significance. Ludwig AI identifies its use primarily in science and news contexts. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's crucial to use this phrase accurately to reflect the intended degree, avoiding overstatement or understatement. Alternatives such as "fairly significant" or "somewhat considerable" offer similar nuances. Thus, "more or less substantial" is a valuable tool for precise and balanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat considerable

Emphasizes the considerable aspect while acknowledging it's not fully substantial.

fairly significant

Highlights the significance but implies it could be greater.

moderately important

Focuses on the importance aspect, suggesting a level that's neither trivial nor critical.

relatively large

Emphasizes the size aspect, implying it's large in comparison to something else but not absolutely.

partially significant

Highlights the significant aspect while acknowledging it's not fully significant.

appreciably sized

Emphasizes the size aspect while implying it's noticeable.

measurably impactful

Highlights the impact while acknowledging it's limited or not extensive.

noticeably sized

Highlights the size aspect while implying it's noticeable.

somewhat major

Highlights the major aspect while acknowledging it's not fully major.

rather weighty

Emphasizes the importance aspect, suggesting a level that's considerable.

FAQs

What does "more or less substantial" mean?

The phrase "more or less substantial" indicates something that is somewhat significant or considerable, but not entirely so. It suggests a moderate degree of importance or amount.

When is it appropriate to use "more or less substantial" in writing?

Use "more or less substantial" when you want to convey that something has a notable impact or size, but is not the defining factor or the largest element. For example, "The evidence presented was "fairly significant", leading the jury to deliberate carefully."

What are some alternatives to "more or less substantial"?

Alternatives include "somewhat considerable", "fairly significant", or "moderately important". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "more or less substantial" formal or informal?

"More or less substantial" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical, it provides a level of precision that works well in both academic and general writing.