so substantial that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so substantial that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significant enough to cause a particular effect or result. Example: "The evidence presented was so substantial that it changed the outcome of the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is so substantial that it is invisible to us.

The Guardian - Opinion

The drop was so substantial that "the hotel thought its water meter was broken," he said.

The New York Times

Their names were so substantial that even the initials had weight.

The New York Times

The surplus was so substantial that the permits became nearly valueless.

The New York Times

The revamping, introduced on Sunday with new television commercials, is so substantial that only the theme remains.

The New York Times

Are the risks that high or the costs so substantial that we would give up a sale?

The Guardian - Business

But the buildings were so substantial that they decided to keep them, and they still stand, and this museum was placed in one of them.

Yale University

The improvements were so substantial that several education experts expressed skepticism, noting that large gains were posted even by cities like Buffalo, whose schools have struggled for years.

The New York Times

The built-in delay is so substantial that Apple said it would take someone five and a half years to guess every possible code for a single device.

The Guardian

The increases in the minimum wage that will be introduced over the next few years are so substantial that some response from employers seems likely.

The New Yorker

The built-in delay is so substantial that Apple said it would take someone 5 1/2 years to guess every possible code for a single device.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so substantial that", ensure that the "that" clause clearly and directly states the consequence or result of the substantiality.

Common error

Avoid using "so substantial that" if the resulting consequence is minor or insignificant. The phrase implies a notable impact, so ensure the result aligns with that expectation.

Linguistic Context

"So substantial that" functions as a conjunction phrase. It connects a statement about the degree or extent of something (substantiality) to its direct consequence or result. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as reported by many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"So substantial that" is a versatile conjunction phrase that effectively links a significant degree or quantity to its direct consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use. Its frequency in news, scientific, and business contexts highlights its neutrality and broad applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure the consequence clearly reflects the magnitude implied by "substantial", avoiding trivial outcomes. Alternatives like "so significant that" or "to such an extent that" can offer nuanced emphasis. By adhering to these guidelines, you can harness the power of "so substantial that" to convey impactful relationships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so considerable that

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable", maintaining a similar sense of significance.

so significant that

Substitutes "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the importance or consequence.

to such an extent that

Uses a more formal structure to convey a similar level of impact or degree.

so large that

Replaces "substantial" with "large", focusing on size or amount as the defining factor.

so great that

Employs "great" instead of "substantial", highlighting the magnitude or intensity.

such that

A more concise way to express a cause-and-effect relationship, implying a considerable impact.

so pronounced that

Emphasizes the visibility or obviousness of the degree or impact.

so marked that

Similar to "pronounced", but with a focus on the noticeable quality of the impact.

so extreme that

Highlights the extremity or intensity of the situation or effect.

to the degree that

A formal way to express a consequential relationship, indicating a particular level or extent.

FAQs

How can I use "so substantial that" in a sentence?

Use "so substantial that" to connect a significant quality or amount to a direct consequence. For instance, "The evidence was "so substantial that" the jury reached a quick verdict".

What can I say instead of "so substantial that"?

You can use alternatives like "so significant that", "to such an extent that", or "so considerable that" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "very" with "so substantial that"?

While grammatically correct, using "very so substantial that" can sound awkward. It's generally better to rely on ""so substantial that"" alone to convey a high degree of significance.

What's the difference between "so substantial that" and "so significant that"?

While similar, "substantial" emphasizes the amount or size, while "significant" focuses on the importance or consequence. You would use ""so substantial that"" when the quantity is key and "so significant that" when the impact is key.