rather substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather substantial" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is considerable or significant in size, amount, or degree. For example, "The project required a rather substantial investment of time and resources." Alternative expressions include "quite significant" and "fairly considerable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dungeon Hunter is just the latest – and rather substantial – gaming treat I've enjoyed on Apple's gadget.

The Guardian - Tech

Because wages typically grow faster, this would mean a rather substantial benefit cut.

The New York Times - Magazine

It would require one to ignore a rather substantial literature on labour-market scarring and hysteresis.

The Economist

Static analysis of production economies may very well show that backward integration offers rather substantial cost benefits.

Harvard Business Review

Petitioner bears the rather substantial burden of demonstrating that, simply by employing the word "try," the Constitution prohibits the Senate from relying on a fact-finding committee.

Cornell University

The two essays under review in this article are representative of a rather substantial pamphlet-type literature calling for a fundamental reordering of French political life.

Columbia University

Preliminary results indicate a negative and rather substantial effect on having a new birth in the four year period, which differs somewhat between different groups of mothers.

Princeton University

"Cendrillon," his version of Cinderella, is certainly sweet, and yet if it's a trifle, it's a charming and rather substantial one.

The New York Times - Arts

It turned out to be a bear that had ransacked her kitchen and was sleeping off the rather substantial meal it had devoured.

The New York Times - Science

There is thus a rather substantial mismatch between the expansivities of coating and substrate, amounting to about 15 microstrain K−1.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Simeon Patout was a "rather substantial slave owner for the time", wrote Michael G Wade in Sugar Dynasty: MA Patout & Son, Ltd 1791-1993.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather substantial" when you want to convey that something is more than just 'substantial' but without being overly emphatic. It's a good choice for professional or academic writing where nuance matters.

Common error

Avoid using "rather substantial" in very informal or casual conversations, as it may sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like 'pretty big' or 'quite large' in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather substantial" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It amplifies the adjective's meaning, indicating a degree that is more than just substantial but not excessively so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather substantial" is a useful phrase to indicate that something is more than just 'substantial'. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common in a range of formal and semi-formal contexts like news reporting, scientific research, and academic writing. It is less common in casual speech. The phrase functions to emphasize significance without being overly emphatic. When choosing a synonym, consider the specific context and the level of formality desired. Alternatives include "quite significant" and "fairly considerable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite significant

Emphasizes the importance or consequence more directly.

fairly considerable

Indicates a notable amount or degree, similar in impact.

reasonably large

Focuses on the size or extent, less formal.

noticeably significant

Highlights the obviousness of the significance.

somewhat meaningful

Suggests the presence of meaning to a certain extent.

moderately sized

Emphasizes the magnitude without being overly dramatic.

pretty important

An informal way of expressing importance.

markedly increased

Highlights the notable degree of increase.

appreciably greater

Suggests a difference that is easily perceived or measured.

distinctly bigger

Focuses on the size or extent with clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "rather substantial" in a sentence?

You can use "rather substantial" to describe something that is considerable in size, amount, or degree. For example, "The company invested a "rather substantial" amount in research and development".

What's a good alternative to "rather substantial"?

Alternatives include "quite significant", "fairly considerable", or "reasonably large", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather substantial" formal or informal?

"Rather substantial" is generally considered more formal and appropriate for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What is the difference between "rather substantial" and "very substantial"?

"Rather substantial" suggests a considerable amount or degree, but it is slightly less emphatic than "very substantial". The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.