substantial common ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial common ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing shared beliefs, interests, or agreements between parties in a conversation or negotiation. Example: "Despite our differences, we found substantial common ground on the issue of environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is surprising that despite this deep disagreement about Psychologism, there is still substantial common ground left between Brentano and Frege.

SEP

Crucially, this perspective also suggests substantial common ground between the genetic and plastic components of adiposity variability.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is substantial room for common ground: reforming the bloated system of corporate welfare, reining in the entirely non-value-creating financial sector, restraining the carnivorous security state, rethinking some of our neocon tendencies in international relations.

Huffington Post

It remains to be seen how substantial will be the mood of common ground outside the biennale.

The Guardian - Arts

Negotiators are talking about using Hong Kong to set up talks in the spring, giving them time, just, to find enough common ground for a substantial agreement.

The Economist

The proposals are different, but they share the common ground of seeking to put substantial private capital ahead of taxpayers.

The New York Times

A common ground.

The New York Times

Is there common ground?

The New York Times

"It's finding common ground.

The New York Times

But there was common ground.

Independent

Where's the common ground?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial common ground" when you want to emphasize that the shared area of agreement is significant and meaningful, not just superficial.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial common ground" if the agreement is only minor or theoretical. Ensure the shared ground is truly significant and has practical implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial common ground" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun phrase "common ground". According to Ludwig, this expression is correct and it's mainly used to indicate a noteworthy area of consensus or shared values.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial common ground" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a significant area of agreement or shared values. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears in diverse contexts, including science and news media. While not extremely frequent, its use is appropriate when emphasizing the importance and extent of shared ground. When using this phrase, ensure that the shared agreement is truly substantial and not just a superficial overlap. More formal alternatives are "considerable mutual agreement" and "significant shared understanding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant shared understanding

Emphasizes comprehension and agreement more than physical space.

considerable mutual agreement

Highlights the agreement aspect while downplaying the underlying basis.

notable points of convergence

More formal and emphasizes the act of coming together at specific points.

significant overlapping interests

Focuses on shared interests rather than agreement or shared space.

areas of considerable consensus

Highlights agreement within a group of people

major meeting of minds

Suggests a significant and impactful alignment of thought.

broad alignment of principles

Focuses on shared values and guiding beliefs.

meaningful concurrence of opinion

Formal and emphasizes agreement of beliefs.

appreciable shared perspective

Emphasizes shared viewpoint and understanding.

material shared principles

Focuses on the significance of shared principles or values.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial common ground" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial common ground" to describe a significant area of agreement between two or more parties. For example, "Despite our differences, we found "substantial common ground" on environmental issues".

What's a less formal way to say "substantial common ground"?

Less formal alternatives include "significant overlap", "major agreement" or "lots in common". The best choice depends on the specific context and audience.

Is there a difference between "common ground" and "substantial common ground"?

"Common ground" simply indicates shared interests or beliefs. "Substantial common ground" emphasizes that the shared interests or beliefs are significant and extensive, implying a stronger basis for agreement or cooperation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "substantial common ground"?

It is appropriate to use "substantial common ground" when highlighting a significant and meaningful area of agreement, especially when there are also areas of disagreement. It's useful in negotiations, discussions, or analyses where emphasizing the degree of accord is important.