substantial enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether something meets a certain level of significance or adequacy for a specific purpose. Example: "The evidence presented was substantial enough to convince the jury of the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Pastas are easily substantial enough to be main courses.

The New York Times

But they are substantial enough to generate profit.

The New York Times

The pizzas, substantial enough to be shared by four, are familiar -- Margherita, Milanese, wild mushroom.

The New York Times

But none of this is ultimately substantial enough to hold our attention.

The Guardian

But, although a very entertaining 45 minutes, it's not substantial enough to seem essential.

The Guardian

In fact, many starters, at from $11 to $16, are substantial enough to be entrees.

The New York Times

Normally, a newspaper comment piece would never be long, or substantial, enough to constitute an essay.

The Guardian - Books

The German chancellor found the evidence substantial enough to call the White House and demand clarification.

The Guardian

All together, the seven strips of greenery hardly seem substantial enough to amount to a park.

The New York Times

Few items, except for maybe the wings, are substantial enough to be main courses.

The New York Times - Food

The risotto is substantial enough to be the main course, without so much as a sliver of red meat.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial enough to", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes 'substantial' in that specific situation. Providing a quantifiable measure can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial enough to" when the degree of substance is minimal or questionable. Choose a more appropriate phrase if the element barely meets the requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial enough to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a degree of sufficiency or adequacy. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it describes whether something meets a certain threshold or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial enough to" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something meets a necessary threshold in terms of size, quantity, or importance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While ""sufficient to"" and ""adequate to"" serve as viable alternatives, "substantial enough to" often emphasizes a noteworthy degree. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by defining what constitutes 'substantial' in the specific context to avoid overstating the degree of substance. It is a common construction, and it enriches writing by precisely conveying the adequacy of something for a particular purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient to

This alternative offers a more concise way of expressing adequacy.

adequate to

Similar to 'sufficient', but can sometimes imply a lower threshold of acceptability.

large enough to

Focuses specifically on size or quantity being sufficient.

considerable enough to

Emphasizes the noteworthy or significant nature of the substance.

significant enough to

Highlights the importance or impact of something being adequate.

capable of

Focuses on the ability or capacity resulting from the substance's adequacy.

able to

A simpler way to express the resulting ability.

strong enough to

Indicates that the strength of something is sufficient.

potent enough to

Implies that the power or effectiveness is sufficient.

sufficiently powerful to

Combines sufficiency with the notion of power or capability.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial enough to" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial enough to" to indicate that something is of sufficient size, amount, or importance for a particular purpose. For example, "The evidence was substantial enough to warrant an investigation."

What are some alternatives to "substantial enough to"?

Alternatives include "sufficient to", "adequate to", or "large enough to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial enough to" or "sufficient enough to"?

"Substantial enough to" and "sufficient enough to" are both grammatically correct, but "substantial" emphasizes the size or importance, while "sufficient" simply means enough. "Substantial enough to" is generally preferred when highlighting a considerable degree.

What does "substantial enough to be shared by four" mean?

It means that something, like a pizza, is large or plentiful enough that it can reasonably be divided and eaten among four people.