more substance

USAGE SUMMARY

"more substance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something has a greater or deeper level of significance than something else. For example: "This proposal has more substance than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I believe Michele Bachmann has more substance.

The New York Times

Her substance requires more substance to thrive.

The New York Times

"It has more substance than a spirea".

The New York Times

I'm looking for something with more substance and more meaning".

The New York Times

And there's more substance to be found elsewhere.

The Guardian - Books

People need more substance in their mac-and-cheese.

The Guardian - Music

There were moments, though, when the audience got more substance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Delia - I just think there's more substance to her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Analysts said UFJ's move appeared to have more substance.

The New York Times

"We look for more substance, not just talk".

The New York Times

She wanted something weightier, with more substance, more alive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more substance", ensure you clearly define what lacks substance in the first place. Providing a direct comparison helps the reader understand the enhanced quality you're highlighting.

Common error

Avoid using "more substance" as a vague compliment. Instead of saying something simply "needs more substance", specify which elements need improvement or further development. This offers constructive feedback and prevents ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more substance" functions primarily as a comparative, enhancing or qualifying another noun or idea. It indicates a desire for greater depth, significance, or tangible quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and readily usable in written English. The examples illustrate its function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more substance" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to express a need for greater depth, significance, or tangible quality. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context about what lacks substance to ensure clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "greater depth" or "increased significance" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater depth

Emphasizes the increase in profundity or complexity.

increased significance

Highlights the enhanced importance or consequence.

added weight

Suggests a greater influence or importance.

enhanced value

Focuses on improved worth or merit.

deeper meaning

Indicates a more profound interpretation or understanding.

greater content

Implies a fuller or richer composition.

improved quality

Focuses on the enhancement of overall merit.

more profoundness

Highlights the increase of depth and insight.

additional merit

Indicates an extra degree of credit.

increased materiality

Focuses on a greater aspect of physical existence.

FAQs

How can I use "more substance" in a sentence?

You can use "more substance" to indicate something has greater depth or significance than something else. For example, "This argument needs "more substance" to be convincing."

What are some alternatives to "more substance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "greater depth", "increased significance", or "added weight".

Is it correct to say 'has more substance'?

Yes, "has more substance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express that something possesses a greater degree of importance, depth, or content.

What does it mean when something is described as having "more substance"?

It generally means the thing being described is perceived as having greater depth, value, or significance compared to something else. It implies a higher level of meaningful content or impact.