must be substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something needs to be significant or considerable in amount, quality, or importance. Example: "The evidence presented in the case must be substantial to support the claims made by the plaintiff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

If intervention substantially improves the prospects of the children concerned and the gain must be substantial, to override the presumption that parents make the best parents then that is justification in itself.

The Economist

Those bills must be substantial: Bill Clinton routinely charges hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches.

The New Yorker

The incentives that could be made available to communities must be substantial, Yeo said, if opposition was to be overcome.

The Guardian

"The deterrent effect of suppression must be substantial and outweigh any harm to the justice system," the chief justice wrote.

The New York Times

His contribution to the books that bear his name must be substantial — certainly greater than that of Charles Barkley, who once admitted he hadn't read his autobiography.

The New York Times - Magazine

Any further effort to stimulate growth must be substantial to be meaningful, and any reduction in the Fed's existing efforts would represent a significant shift in policy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The subject must also be substantial and with social impact.

Vice

The second criterion of Wolfe et al. (2007) is that there must not be substantial barriers to crossing.

Evolutionary Applications

Follow-up studies thus often report only 10to20%0% of the potentially available population and there must therefore be substantial imprecision around estimates of the prevalence of post-intensive care discharge phenomena.

Critical Care

'If he has made these remarks there must be a substantial question mark over his position,' he said.

The Guardian

For one thing, the Florida Supreme Court has already ruled that ballots must be in substantial non-compliance with election laws before being rejected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be substantial", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes "substantial" to avoid ambiguity. Quantify or qualify the term whenever possible to provide a clearer understanding of the required magnitude or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "must be substantial" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler, more direct language would be more appropriate. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "needs to be big" or "should be enough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be substantial" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating necessity combined with an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It emphasizes that something is required to be of considerable amount, size, or importance, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be substantial" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a requirement for something to be significant or considerable. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is usable in written English when indicating something needs to be significant in amount, quality, or importance. Examples from news, science, and wiki sources show its versatility. While alternatives like "needs to be considerable" or "should be significant" exist, "must be substantial" conveys a stronger sense of necessity. It is most appropriate in formal contexts and should be used carefully in informal settings. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to clearly communicate the importance of a certain magnitude or effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be considerable

Replaces "must" with "needs to", softening the obligation while retaining the sense of significance.

should be significant

Substitutes "must" with "should", suggesting a recommendation rather than a strict necessity, and "substantial" with "significant."

has to be sizable

Replaces "must" with "has to", retaining the obligation, and "substantial" with "sizable", implying a large size or amount.

requires a significant degree

Emphasizes the necessity of a considerable amount or level, shifting the focus to the degree of importance.

necessitates a marked extent

Uses more formal language to express the need for a noticeable or significant degree.

calls for a sizable amount

Highlights the need for a considerable quantity or extent, framing it as a requirement.

demands a significant level

Emphasizes the necessity of reaching a particular standard or degree, highlighting the importance of the level.

entails a considerable quantity

Suggests that something will involve a significant amount or number, focusing on the quantity involved.

necessitates a tangible effect

Replaces "substantial" with "tangible effect" to focus on the effect/outcome and its importance.

warrants a significant impact

Indicates that something justifies or calls for a notable influence or effect, stressing the impact.

FAQs

How can I use "must be substantial" in a sentence?

Use "must be substantial" to indicate that something needs to be significant or considerable in amount, quality, or importance. For example, "The evidence presented in the case "must be substantial" to support the claims made by the plaintiff."

What are some alternatives to "must be substantial"?

You can use alternatives like "needs to be considerable", "should be significant", or "has to be sizable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "must be substantial" or "needs to be substantial"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""must be substantial"" implies a stronger obligation or requirement, while "needs to be substantial" suggests a necessity that is perhaps less forceful.

In what contexts is "must be substantial" most appropriate?

"Must be substantial" is most appropriate in formal or professional contexts where a high degree of significance or quantity is required. This includes legal, scientific, and business settings.