on the substantive side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the substantive side" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the essential or significant aspects of a topic or issue. Example: "In our analysis, we need to focus on the substantive side of the argument to ensure a thorough understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Lynch said that if he was sometimes pegged as the "people person" in the administration, "I have input on the substantive side," too.

The New York Times

And that goes back to the basic proposition that, while more can and should be done on the substantive side, think tanks, fiscal-policy organizations, analysts — everyone concerned with our fiscal condition and its powerful threat to our economic future — must now draw on communications and political expertise to develop a narrative and a strategy that will spur action by elected officials.

The Washington Post

But was it as strong on the substantive side?

Huffington Post

"This thing is terrible enough on the substantive side, attacking drinking water protections for 1 in 3 Americans," Devine said.

Huffington Post

On the substantive side, in terms of the issues, we met with a number of groups over the summer, a number of stakeholders.

Vice

There is no doubt, as Justice Elena Kagan put it Tuesday, that the 2012 ruling "fits on the substantive side". Although the court in that decision stopped short of holding that juveniles could never be sentenced to life in prison without parole, it required judges and juries to consider "youth and attendant characteristics" as possible extenuating factors before imposing such a sentence.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

On the more substantive side, Geithner's concerns seem to begin and end with finance.

HuffPost

In dealing with this case, however, the Federal Circuit does not wish to take sides on the substantive matters, and thus repeats, without endorsement or rejection, the standard government claim that the net worth sweep was needed to avoid a "death spiral," which would arise when Fannie and Freddie would have to keep borrowing money when they could not pay their bills.

Forbes

Still, both diplomats said that ultimately the sides were too far apart on the substantive issues.

The New York Times

I ventured no opinion on the substantive issue.

The New York Times

This burden depends on the substantive law governing the claim.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the substantive side", ensure it's clear what you are contrasting it with, such as the procedural or superficial aspects. This helps to provide a balanced and comprehensive view of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "on the substantive side" without clearly indicating what aspects are not substantive. Without this contrast, the phrase can lose its impact and make your writing seem vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the substantive side" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a focus on the essential or significant aspects of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the substantive side" is a grammatically sound and readily usable English phrase, though it appears with moderate frequency. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English and focuses on the essential aspects of a subject. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear contrast with non-substantive elements. The phrase is most often found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Common alternatives include "regarding the core aspects" or "concerning the essence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the core aspects

Focuses on the fundamental and central elements.

concerning the essence

Highlights the most important and defining characteristics.

in terms of the fundamentals

Emphasizes the basic and foundational principles.

with respect to the crux

Directs attention to the decisive point or critical feature.

as for the vital points

Indicates the most important or necessary details.

in relation to the key issues

Focuses on the main and significant topics of discussion.

on the essential elements

Highlights indispensable parts or components.

considering the meat of the matter

Directs attention to the most important or interesting part.

regarding the heart of the matter

Emphasizes the central and most critical aspect.

focusing on the underlying principles

Highlights the basic rules or laws on which something is based.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "on the substantive side" in a sentence?

Use "on the substantive side" to highlight the significant aspects of a topic, contrasting it with less important details. For example, "While the presentation was visually appealing, it lacked depth "on the substantive side"".

What phrases are similar to "on the substantive side"?

Similar phrases include "regarding the core aspects", "concerning the essence", or "in terms of the fundamentals". These alternatives can add variety to your writing while maintaining a focus on key issues.

Is it better to say "substantive" or "on the substantive side"?

The choice depends on the context. "Substantive" is a general adjective, while "on the substantive side" is a prepositional phrase that often implies a comparison or contrast. Use "substantive" when describing something directly, and "on the substantive side" when comparing aspects of a topic.

What's the difference between "on the substantive side" and "in theory"?

"On the substantive side" focuses on the factual and important aspects of something, whereas "in theory" refers to hypothetical or idealized aspects that may not be practical. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum: practicality versus abstraction.