of any substance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of any substance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is meaningful or important. For example, "I need to see some tangible results of any substance before I can commit to this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There is no argument of any substance against the Opcat.

The Guardian - Opinion

The surface properties of any substance in the solid state differ from its bulk properties.

Electrochimica Acta

As a result, there were no discussions of any substance because there was nothing to discuss.

The Guardian

In the process, he empties it, and his characters, of any substance outside their desire.

The New Yorker

"We've been talking, but there's nothing of any substance," he said.

The New York Times - Style

They said nobody of any substance would live in a tenement but Saml.

The New Yorker

(v) Require injections of any substance into a joint space or body cavity.

Cornell University

"I was never, ever aware of any substance abuse problem he had with alcohol or anything else," Mr. Pascarella said.

The New York Times

AM I don't think there was anything of any substance that I knew for sure and didn't tell the public.

The Guardian

This is surprising given that if you ingest enough of any substance – no matter how legal – you can kill yourself.

The Guardian

"There is absolutely no scope left for any kind of misuse or pilferage or illegal export of any substance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use it to dismiss something as lacking meaningful content. For instance, you might critique a speech as "devoid of any substance" if it offers no concrete solutions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "of any substance" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "meaningful" or "important" when speaking with friends or family to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of any substance" functions as a qualifier, typically modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses a noteworthy degree of importance, validity, or meaningful content. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically sound. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its capacity to denote both presence and absence of significant elements within varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of any substance" is a versatile phrase used to convey the presence or absence of meaningful content or importance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in formal and neutral contexts such as news, science, and business. While generally appropriate, be mindful of its slightly formal tone and consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember to use "of any substance" to highlight real significance or to critique a lack thereof, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of genuine significance

Underscores the authenticity and importance.

of considerable importance

Highlights the importance and weight of something.

of significant value

Emphasizes the worth or importance of something.

with meaningful content

Emphasizes the presence of significant information.

of real consequence

Focuses on the resulting impact or effect.

of noteworthy quality

Highlights the remarkable attributes or features.

of tangible merit

Stresses the demonstrable quality or benefit.

with actual merit

Focuses on the real value or worth of something.

of material effect

Implies a concrete and measurable influence.

of some weight

Indicates the seriousness or importance of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "of any substance" in a sentence?

Use "of any substance" to indicate that something has significance or weight. For example, "The report lacked evidence "of any substance" to support its claims."

What phrases are similar to "of any substance"?

Similar phrases include "of significant value", "of considerable importance", or "of genuine significance" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "of any substance"?

It is suitable in formal writing or when you want to emphasize that something is not trivial or superficial. It is commonly used in news, academic papers, and business reports.

What does it mean for something to be "devoid of any substance"?

To be "devoid of any substance" means lacking meaningful content, value, or importance. It suggests that something is empty or insubstantial, for example, "His speech was devoid "of any substance" and offered no real solutions."