Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

much substantial

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much substantial" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "much" is not the appropriate modifier for "substantial." Example: "The project requires much substantial funding to succeed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But there are numerous compensations, among them the sight of so much substantial work by women.

Four years ago a "shareholder spring" was declared, which created a similar degree of fuss without too much substantial change to justify it.

It might be seen as a further, important test of Dolan's sinew as a director, had he not already produced so much substantial work.

Still, there is a side of me that says there will not be that much substantial change, that not many major programs will be canceled.

News & Media

The New York Times

Well, if they're still ignorant after having so much substantial and incontrovertible proof laid out before them, that's their problem.

News & Media

Vice

Regardless, there is not much substantial disagreement coming from the minority party, but rather a general agreement that the President-elect's plan is right for America.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Relations with the United States is a much more substantial, real issue, but it's more difficult to give that as your explanation".

News & Media

The New York Times

It makes Carrie much more substantial if her friends are more substantial".

News & Media

The New York Times

Buying into your life and the people in it is so much more substantial than anything material.

News & Media

Huffington Post

For vegetarians, mushrooms provide something much more substantial, a meaty succulence and satisfying texture that can be missing from a meat-free diet.

"They wanted much more substantial reforms".

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "much" directly before "substantial". Instead, use adverbs like "significantly", "very", or "considerably" to correctly modify the adjective.

Common error

Do not use "much" as a direct modifier for "substantial". "Much" typically modifies non-countable nouns or verbs, not adjectives. Using it this way creates a grammatically incorrect phrase.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much substantial" primarily functions as an attempt to intensify the adjective "substantial". However, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, as indicated by Ludwig AI, because "much" does not typically modify adjectives directly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "much substantial" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, "much" should not be used to directly modify adjectives like "substantial". Although examples can be found, primarily in news and media contexts, it is best to use alternatives such as "very substantial", "significantly substantial", or "considerably substantial" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in writing. Following this guidance enhances the credibility and professionalism of your communication.

FAQs

Is the phrase "much substantial" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "much substantial" is not grammatically correct in standard English. "Much" is typically used to modify verbs or non-countable nouns, not adjectives like "substantial". Alternatives such as "very substantial" or "significantly substantial" are more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "much substantial"?

You can use alternatives like "very substantial", "considerably substantial", or "significantly substantial" depending on the context. These options provide grammatical correctness and clarity.

Which is correct, "much substantial" or "very substantial"?

"Very substantial" is correct. "Much substantial" is not standard English because "much" doesn't directly modify adjectives. Choose "very substantial" or another suitable alternative for grammatical accuracy.

How can I use the concept of "substantial" correctly in a sentence?

Use adverbs like "very", "significantly", or "considerably" to modify "substantial". For example: "The evidence is "very substantial"" or "The changes are "significantly substantial"." Avoid using "much" directly before "substantial".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: