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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
substantial about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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).
Science
There is something more substantial about this Yankee pennant.
News & Media
One knows nothing detailed, nothing perfectly true and substantial about her.
News & Media
The education grants are substantial, about two-thirds of what secondary-school students would receive for full-time work.
News & Media
However, let's not expect her to do anything substantial about raising literacy levels or improving our mental health.
News & Media
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
It will be substantial, with about 120 seats.
News & Media
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
Behind all this flim-flam about income is a more substantial debate about the future of general practice.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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".
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
important regarding
Substitutes "substantial" with "important", providing a simpler and more direct phrasing.
substantial information on
Highlights the amount of information available about a subject, rather than its inherent importance.
significant regarding
Replaces "substantial" with "significant", and "about" with "regarding", offering a grammatically correct alternative.
significant concerning
Alternative that uses "significant" and "concerning" to convey the importance of something.
considerable concerning
Uses "considerable" instead of "substantial" and "concerning" in place of "about", providing a more formal tone.
meaningful in relation to
Uses "meaningful" and "in relation to" to express the significance of something in connection to something else.
material with respect to
Employs "material" and "with respect to" to express a similar idea in a more technical or formal manner.
considerable in connection with
Expresses a significant amount of something related to something else.
noteworthy with respect to
Replaces "substantial" with "noteworthy" and "about" with "with respect to", resulting in a more formal expression.
extensive discussion on
Focuses on the breadth of discussion related to a topic, rather than the substance.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested