not so substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very significant or important in a particular context. Example: "The evidence presented in the case was not so substantial that it could lead to a conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

provide guidance with respect to the types of interests that are not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services the Government may expect from the employee.

Cornell University

Chief Justice Roberts, applying the more rigorous standard he outlined, said that the risks identified by the inmates were not "so substantial or imminent as to amount to an Eighth Amendment violation".

The New York Times

Responding to recent claims that looming federal surpluses would disrupt U.S. capital markets if partially invested in private financial assets, this short essay argue that projected surpluses are not so substantial when compared with the likely size of U.S. capital markets at the end of the end of the decade when the bulk of the surpluses are projected to arise.

Harvard University

Susan Dynarski at Harvard suggests that the shift from "public good" to "personal gain" reflects how the rewards of a degree have changed since the 1970's, when the gulf between the earnings of high-school graduates and college graduates was not so substantial.

The New York Times - Magazine

For the low bit rate the macrodiversity gain is not so substantial as the throughput performance is already good for a single radio link.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

"It's not so substantial that I would have gone public with it, if it were me," Ellenberg said, but he does think it merits further investigation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was a little jarring when I first noticed it, but it wasn't so substantial as to ruin the movie for me.

TechCrunch

Yet every so often we do get the sneaky suspicion that life is not so solid or substantial.

Huffington Post

Even had these studies attempted to control for confounding differences between those reporting exposure to interventions and those not doing so, substantial residual confounding would very likely have remained because of the subtle differences between those recalling and not recalling campaigns.

BMC Public Health

Due to a gradual modal shift, the traffic work between the various modes of transport directly before and directly after the introduction of the stricter sulphur rules in 2015 will not be so substantial.

European Transport Research Review

Meadows likes to hold him back – he even did in the original film when Stephen Graham's Hollywood commitments weren't quite so substantial.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not so substantial", ensure the context is clear. Specify what the subject is being compared to, even implicitly, to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

While acceptable, "not so substantial" can sound informal in academic or business writing. Opt for alternatives like "relatively insignificant" or "not particularly important" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so substantial" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that something is not very significant or important. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not so substantial" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that lacks significance or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. While its usage spans various contexts, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing. For formal or business communications, consider alternative phrases such as "relatively insignificant" or "not particularly important" to maintain a more professional tone. When using "not so substantial", ensure clarity by specifying what you are comparing the subject to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very significant

Emphasizes a lack of importance or consequence.

not particularly important

Highlights the absence of notable relevance.

not especially considerable

Focuses on the limited degree or amount.

relatively insignificant

Suggests a comparison to something more significant.

somewhat negligible

Indicates that something is practically unworthy of attention.

not all that great

An informal way of saying something isn't very impressive.

hardly momentous

Implies a lack of historical or long-lasting importance.

not overly consequential

Focuses on the limited effect or outcome.

scarcely appreciable

Highlights the difficulty in noticing or measuring something.

not remotely weighty

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness or burden.

FAQs

How can I use "not so substantial" in a sentence?

You can use "not so substantial" to describe something that is not very significant or important. For example, "The evidence presented was "not so substantial" that it could lead to a conviction."

What are some alternatives to "not so substantial"?

Alternatives include "not very significant", "relatively insignificant", or "not particularly important" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not so substantial"?

Yes, the phrase "not so substantial" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. However, its appropriateness depends on the context; it may be perceived as informal in some settings.

What's the difference between "not so substantial" and "insignificant"?

"Not so substantial" implies a lesser degree of significance, while "insignificant" suggests a complete lack of importance. The choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.