substantial downside

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial downside" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing significant negative consequences or risks associated with a decision or situation. For example: "Investing in that startup carries a substantial downside if the market shifts." Alternative expressions include "significant risk" and "major drawback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"There are substantial downside risks to the outlook.

The Guardian - Business

"Moreover, the substantial downside revisions to fourth-quarter G.D.P. also suggest that underlying momentum wasn't as robust as widely thought".

The New York Times

When a risk analysis was carried out with a model, the reason became clear: the venture had a very substantial downside risk.

Harvard Business Review

Our initial estimates suggest that at the current share price, this contract win is almost fully priced into the FirstGroup share price, assuming its revenue and cost targets are achieved, but we think there may be substantial downside risk here.

The Guardian - Business

The New York Fed brokered the sale of failing Bear Stearns to relatively healthy JPMorgan Chase, with the Fed providing substantial downside insurance to JPMorgan, against potential losses from assets they were acquiring.

The New York Times

Greece's economy will contract by 4.3percentthis yearar, the estimates said, "markedly lower than forecast in the autumn and with substantial downside risks". It would be Greece's fifth year of recession, an extraordinarily long time for a country not at war.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Yet the mix comes with substantial downsides.

The New York Times

There are only two substantial downsides to becoming involved with GrandCentral.

The New York Times - Tech

Johnson himself acknowledged only a few weeks ago in a column for the Daily Telegraph that the referendum debate was finely balanced and leaving was likely to cause "at least some business uncertainty", but on Friday he claimed there were no substantial downsides to Brexit.

The Guardian

Paperless ticketing can be effective in reducing resale activity in some cases, but with it comes substantial downsides.

TechCrunch

And while Siegel instinctively sees the mandate's upsides, empathizing with lower-income pregnant women who can't afford to take a sick day, for example, she appears not to have considered the substantial downsides of how a mandate might impact those women's job prospects and take-home pay.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments or business decisions, use "substantial downside" to clearly communicate the potential for significant losses or negative consequences. This adds weight to your analysis and ensures the audience understands the gravity of the risk.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "substantial downside" without providing concrete evidence or analysis. Overuse can diminish the phrase's impact and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial downside" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "downside". It describes a significant negative aspect, risk, or consequence associated with a particular situation. This phrase is commonly used to highlight the potential for considerable losses or drawbacks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial downside" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted phrase used to highlight significant risks or negative consequences. It's most common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is effective, it is important to provide evidence when employing the phrase and not to overstate the potential negative consequences. Consider alternatives such as "significant disadvantage" or "considerable risk" depending on the context. The phrase serves as a crucial tool for effectively communicating potential drawbacks across a range of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant disadvantage

Focuses on the negative aspect as a drawback, emphasizing the considerable nature of the disadvantage.

major drawback

Highlights a notable negative aspect, suggesting a significant impediment.

considerable risk

Emphasizes the potential for negative outcomes, stressing that the risk is noteworthy.

significant peril

Indicates a high degree of danger or threat, making it more severe than a simple risk.

serious disadvantage

Highlights that the disadvantage is grave and impactful.

notable drawback

Emphasizes the remarkableness or prominence of the negative aspect.

appreciable disadvantage

Indicates that the disadvantage is measurable and significant in size or effect.

major hazard

This phrase emphasizes the potential danger and severity of the negative outcome.

significant liability

Focuses on the responsibility for potential harm or loss, indicating it is substantial.

considerable detraction

Highlights a significant factor that diminishes the value or appeal.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial downside" to describe significant risks or negative consequences associated with a decision, investment, or situation. For example, "Investing in this venture carries a "substantial downside" if market conditions change unexpectedly".

What are some alternatives to "substantial downside"?

Alternatives include "significant disadvantage", "major drawback", or "considerable risk", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "substantial downside" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial downside" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business, finance, and academic contexts, where clear and impactful communication of risk is essential.

What's the difference between "downside" and "substantial downside"?

"Downside" refers to any potential negative aspect or risk. Adding "substantial" emphasizes that the negative consequences are significant or considerable. It's about highlighting the magnitude of the possible negative outcomes.