substantial appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe something that has a significant or notable look or impression, often in legal or formal discussions. Example: "The substantial appearance of the evidence presented in court led the jury to reconsider their initial verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There was uniformity, too, on the redesigned Porsche Boxster, now with a more substantial appearance resembling its big brother, the 911.

The New York Times

This Messiaen and Bruckner programme came at the end of a short European tour with the LSO and marked Rattle's third substantial appearance with the orchestra this season – more than some music directors manage when they are already in post.

The Guardian - Music

It was a counterpoint moment on the same day that Ratko Mladic, the former military leader of the Bosnian Serbs and accused war criminal, made his first substantial appearance at The Hague tribunal.

The New York Times - Sports

DANIEL MONTROY, the architect for the project, said the owners chose weathered brick for the exterior instead of replicating the 1920's wood frame structure, because they wanted the new store to blend in with Village Hall across the street and to create a more substantial appearance on that section of the busy street.

The New York Times

(Indeed, the so-called "elite sports" funding provided to our best athletes – already in receipt of substantial appearance fees – by a 28 per cent levy on a national lottery engaged in disproportionately by the poorest is socialism in reverse: to each according to his ability, from each according to his need).

Independent

But he wants a substantial appearance fee if we beat Nigeria".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

During the war, after being invalided out of the army, he made more substantial appearances in a variety of films, many of them service pictures such as In Which We Serve (1942), We Dive At Dawn (1943) and The Way To The Stars (1945).

The Guardian - Film

Though very substantial in appearance, the fake nose, Domingo explained, is lightweight and easy to wear, with a custom fit around the nostrils.

The New Yorker

It was his first substantial television appearance since he offered his resignation as director general on January 29, the day after Lord Hutton published his report on the death of the MoD weapons expert Dr David Kelly, with heavy criticism of the BBC's management.

The Guardian

Yet to Mr. Tucker, 38, the manic, motor-mouth comic and actor who ascended from the low-budget comedy "Friday" to the blockbuster "Rush Hour" franchise before an abrupt vanishing act, the four years that have elapsed since his last substantial screen appearance have gone by in no time at all.

The New York Times

The main challenge of facial landmark localization in real-world application is that the large changes of head pose and facial expressions cause substantial image appearance variations.

Pattern Recognition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes or design, use "substantial appearance" to convey a sense of robustness, size, or quality that is immediately noticeable.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial appearance" in casual conversation or informal writing. It is more appropriate for formal reports, academic papers, or technical descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "substantial appearance" is that of a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig examples, it describes a notable or significant aspect of something's outward form.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial appearance" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase, primarily employed in formal and scientific contexts to describe something with a significant and noticeable visual quality. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples reveals that while "substantial appearance" is not exceedingly common, it is appropriate for expressing a prominent or robust impression. Its usage spans across news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries, indicating its versatility in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant look

Changes the word "appearance" to "look", emphasizing the visual aspect of being significant.

notable presence

Replaces "appearance" with "presence", shifting the focus to the impact or impression made.

marked visibility

Emphasizes the quality of being easily seen or noticed, replacing "appearance" with "visibility".

considerable presence

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable", indicating a large or important presence.

significant manifestation

Replaces "appearance" with "manifestation", focusing on the way something is shown or displayed.

pronounced aspect

Uses "pronounced" instead of "substantial" to highlight a distinct or noticeable aspect.

distinct form

Highlights the shape or structure, replacing "substantial appearance" with a focus on a clear form.

noticeable display

Shifts the focus to something being presented or shown, replacing "appearance" with "display".

tangible form

Emphasizes the concrete and perceivable nature, highlighting that something is real and touchable in its form.

prominent display

Highlights the visibility of something being presented or shown, with an emphasis on importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial appearance" to describe something that has a significant or notable look or impression. For example, "The building's "substantial appearance" reflected its importance to the community."

What can I say instead of "substantial appearance"?

You can use alternatives like "significant look", "notable presence", or "marked visibility" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "substantial appearance"?

It's appropriate in formal contexts when you want to emphasize that something has a significant or prominent look. For example, when describing a building, a legal document, or a design.

Which is more appropriate, "substantial appearance" or "significant appearance"?

Both ""substantial appearance"" and "significant appearance" are grammatically correct. "Substantial" often implies a larger or more robust impression than "significant".