substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

“substantial” is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning “of considerable size, quantity, or importance”. For example, “The charity raised a substantial amount of money for the victims of the hurricane.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Huma represents what is best about America – the daughter of immigrants, who has risen to the highest levels of our government on the basis of her substantial personal merit and her abiding commitment to the American ideals that she embodies so fully.

The Guardian

The sister of Troy Davis, the man whose execution a year ago amid substantial evidence that he was innocent sparked protests across the US and the world, has vowed to keep on fighting until the death penalty is ended "one state at a time".

The Guardian

The former Labor powerbroker's son, Eddie Jr, on Friday denied that his family had a substantial shareholding in AWH.

The Guardian

The Guardian published the story after the Daily Telegraph refused to for fear of offending its readers, even after the paper had paid a substantial sum to secure the exclusive rights.

The Guardian - Books

Display account manager We are seeking an exceptional display account manager with substantial agency sales experience within the digital media environment to join our Sydney team Developer - casual We are looking for an experienced developer to join our studio team in Sydney on a casual basis for a period of 2 months.

The Guardian

Better Together, which was conscious that the SNP had spent months marshalling the Scottish government's civil service resources behind the white paper, was nervous that the document could present a substantial threat.

The Guardian

His biggest strategic miscalculation was not to use the leverage he had over George Bush as the only substantial western ally to join the 2003 invasion – the "coalition of the willing" – to extract a better plan for the occupation of Saddam Hussein's ill-governed state once the fighting was over (even sooner than expected).

The Guardian

Experts found "substantial contamination" here too, on chairs and a green fabric cover.

The Guardian

Most Labour MPs in its heartland areas where the yes vote is strongest have substantial 30% to 40% majorities, making it far harder to predict which could be most at risk.

The Guardian

Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, said: "Two more years of substantial real public spending cuts: that is what the chancellor has promised in response to the OBR's dramatically worsened macroeconomic forecasts.

The Guardian

Conservation groups have put substantial resources into preserving the hen harrier population.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial" to emphasize that something is not just large, but also significant and impactful. For example, "The project required a substantial investment of time and resources."

Common error

Avoid using "substantial" with abstract nouns where a more specific adjective would be more appropriate. Instead of "substantial happiness", consider "considerable joy" or "profound contentment".

Linguistic Context

The word "substantial" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is of considerable size, quantity, or importance. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial" is a versatile adjective used to denote that something is of considerable size, quantity, or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various domains, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. It's crucial to use "substantial" accurately, ensuring it aligns with the intended emphasis on significance and impact. While alternatives like "considerable" or "significant" exist, "substantial" maintains a unique nuance in conveying magnitude. Being mindful of common errors, such as overuse with abstract nouns, ensures effective communication. The word appears frequently and is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable

Indicates a notable amount or degree, similar to "substantial" but can sometimes imply more deliberation.

significant

Emphasizes the importance or impact of something, slightly shifting the focus from size to consequence.

sizeable

Focuses specifically on the physical size or quantity, making it a more literal synonym in certain contexts.

appreciable

Highlights that something is easily noticed or recognized, adding a layer of perception.

material

Implies that something has practical importance or relevance, often in a legal or formal setting.

solid

Suggests reliability and strength in addition to size, often used for abstract concepts like support or evidence.

large-scale

Specifically denotes something that is extensive or comprehensive, often used for projects or operations.

marked

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of something, implying a clear and distinct presence.

notable

Similar to significant, focusing on the quality of being worthy of attention.

major

Indicates something of great importance or seriousness, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial" in a sentence?

"Substantial" is typically used to describe something of considerable size, quantity, or importance. For example, "The company made a "substantial profit" this year" or "There was a "substantial amount of" evidence supporting the claim."

What are some alternatives to the word "substantial"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "considerable", "significant", "sizeable", or "appreciable". Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "a substantial amount of"?

Yes, it is correct to say "a substantial amount of". This phrase is commonly used to indicate a significant quantity of something, like "a "substantial amount of time"" or "a "substantial amount of money"".

What's the difference between "substantial" and "substantive"?

"Substantial" refers to size, quantity, or degree, while "substantive" refers to the essence or important part of something. For example, "substantial evidence" means there's a lot of evidence, whereas "substantive changes" means there are significant and fundamental changes.