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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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substantial about

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a significant or considerable aspect of something, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "There are substantial concerns about the project's feasibility."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Indeed, the increase in thresholds was substantial (about 120 % for the identical-pattern condition of Exp. 1).

The increase in projected rates for 2030, although not quite as great as obtained by Oliver et al (2013), is substantial (about 11% for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 20 25% for leukemia and myeloma).

There is something more substantial about this Yankee pennant.

One knows nothing detailed, nothing perfectly true and substantial about her.

The education grants are substantial, about two-thirds of what secondary-school students would receive for full-time work.

News & Media

The New York Times

However, let's not expect her to do anything substantial about raising literacy levels or improving our mental health.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The appointment would be a substantial about-turn by the prime minister, who last year refused to give Lieberman the defense portfolio after the general election, resulting in his secularist right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party opting to remain outside of the government.

News & Media

Vice

It will be substantial, with about 120 seats.

However it has been less forthcoming about releasing substantial data about the content of requests — so the types of information that typically gets delisted.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Behind all this flim-flam about income is a more substantial debate about the future of general practice.

And it makes us sit around over coffee for hours afterwards arguing about substantial things - about whether there is a moral difference between murder and state killings.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "substantial about" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "significant regarding" or "considerable concerning" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The preposition "about" often follows nouns or verbs, not adjectives like "substantial". Using "substantial about" can create grammatical errors. Replace "about" with prepositions that fit the context such as "regarding", "concerning" or "with respect to".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial about" attempts to link a descriptive adjective (substantial) with a preposition (about), often to introduce the topic or focus of significance. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The intended function is typically to highlight the importance or materiality of something in relation to something else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "substantial about" might seem intuitive, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Instead, use alternatives like "significant regarding" or "considerable concerning" to convey your intended meaning with greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. The frequency of this phrase is uncommon, appearing mostly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, but its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal writing. Remember to avoid this phrase and choose more appropriate alternatives in your writing.

FAQs

What does "substantial regarding" mean?

The phrase "substantial regarding" means significant or considerable with respect to something. It is a more grammatically correct alternative to "substantial about".

Is "substantial about" grammatically correct?

No, "substantial about" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "significant regarding" or "considerable concerning".

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

Use "substantial" to describe something significant or considerable. For example, "There is a "substantial difference" between the two proposals" or "The company made a "substantial profit" this year".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "substantial about"?

Alternatives include "significant regarding", "considerable concerning", or "material with respect to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: