substantial clue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial clue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant piece of information that aids in solving a problem or mystery. Example: "The detective found a substantial clue that led to the arrest of the suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The result of a SAGE analysis, in particular, provides a substantial clue for the estimation of the 3′ terminal of each transcript.

DNA Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Neither the nucleotide nor the predicted protein sequences (comprising 3,418 amino acids) have provided substantial clues about its function.

Disease Markers

These studies provided substantial clues for the diagnosis and treatment of POP, but there was oversimplification of apical ligament support in those studies.

BioMed Research International

When investigators in Boston were looking for a suspect who killed a woman and attacked another, who both had advertised massage services on Craigslist, the electronic trail of evidence and clues was substantial.

The New York Times

The pampas grass and some fairly substantial Chamaecyparis conifers give clues to the period in which the gardens began their renaissance: renowned plantsman James Russell offered his advice in the 60s and the gardens have been taking shape ever since, under Lady Cholmondeley's guidance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Likewise, protein architecture offers another clue because a substantial fraction of domain structures in the protein world are common to all organismal superkingdoms and are truly ancient [ 23].

Biology Direct

What is clear, then, is that a substantial minority of Foundling mothers were desperate to leave clues as to their baby's identity.

The Guardian

After a 1-week delay, a substantial number of children who were exposed to the clues misremembered their inferences as actual experiences.

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

These results demonstrate the utility of metabolite fingerprint analysis, based on multivariate statistical approaches, in providing important clues about identity of metabolites that undergo substantial and differential modulations in abundance in control and elicitor-treated opium poppy cell cultures.

BMC Plant Biology

Housing design has changed dramatically over the years, and you may be able to find some clues as to when your home was built, what substantial changes it has endured, and how well off the original inhabitants were.

WikiHow

Nevertheless, the incepted incidence rates assessed here through clinical early intervention services highlight a substantial burden of psychotic disorder beyond cities, and potentially provide important aetiological clues.

British Journal of Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial clue", ensure the clue genuinely provides significant insight or direction. Avoid using it for trivial or misleading information.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial clue" if the clue in question is minor or insignificant. Overstating the importance of a clue can mislead the audience and diminish credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial clue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "clue". Ludwig AI confirms that it signifies a significant piece of information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial clue" refers to a significant piece of information that helps in understanding or solving a problem. While Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically correct, it is not very common, with usage observed primarily in scientific and news media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "significant indicator" or "important lead" can be used depending on the desired nuance. It's important to ensure that the clue truly warrants the description "substantial" to avoid misleading the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant indicator

Replaces "clue" with "indicator", emphasizing the pointing-to nature of the information.

important lead

Substitutes "clue" with "lead", commonly used in investigative contexts.

major hint

Uses "hint" instead of "clue", softening the tone while retaining the sense of guidance.

considerable insight

Replaces "clue" with "insight", focusing on the understanding gained.

notable suggestion

Emphasizes the offering of an idea rather than a direct solving of a problem.

strong piece of evidence

Replaces both "substantial" and "clue" with more formal terms, suitable for legal or academic settings.

significant piece of information

Replaces "clue" with a broader term, suitable when the information's role isn't necessarily to solve a puzzle.

key to the puzzle

Emphasizes the problem-solving aspect, useful in contexts where a mystery is involved.

critical piece of data

Positions the clue as a necessary component of a larger data set.

valuable insight

Focuses on the worth and usefulness of the clue, rather than its size or strength.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial clue" to indicate a significant piece of information that aids in understanding or solving a problem. For example, "The detective found a "substantial clue" that led to the suspect's arrest."

What are some alternatives to "substantial clue"?

Some alternatives include "significant indicator", "important lead", or "major hint" depending on the context.

Is "substantial clue" a formal or informal expression?

"Substantial clue" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it leans towards a more neutral tone suitable for professional or academic writing.

What makes a clue "substantial"?

A "substantial" clue is one that provides significant insight or direction, markedly advancing the understanding of a situation or the solution to a problem.