substantial gap

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial gap" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a significant or notable difference or space between two things. Example: There is a substantial gap between the salaries of male and female employees at this company, with men earning 25% more on average.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's quite a substantial gap.

The Guardian

That is still a substantial gap, but it is closing.

The Economist

This shows a substantial gap in the clothing market for demand that needs to be filled.

The Guardian - Opinion

The "substantial" gap between supply and demand pushed the average house cost to £208,286, Halifax said.

Independent

In the substantial gap between, Moore has spent his time as an adviser or advocate for industries including mining, forestry and pulp and paper.

The Guardian

1. Prescription Drugs: Vote to kill an amendment to Medicare legislation that would close a substantial gap in coverage for elderly people with high drug costs.

The New York Times

The TUC findings also show that, despite recent moderate increases in average wages overall, disabled people in work are confronted with a substantial gap in pay.

The Guardian

"There remains, however, a substantial gap between demand and supply with the latest figures showing a further decline in the number of properties available for sale," he said.

The Guardian - Money

Second, we need to recognise the substantial gap that has opened up between the perceptions of victims of antisemitism and those accused of antisemitism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Woman's Trust Woman's Trust was formed in 1996 by domestic violence survivors and counsellors to address the substantial gap in mental health support to women affected in London.

The Guardian

Prices were pushed upwards by a "substantial" gap between supply and demand, according to the latest figure by Halifax, UK's biggest lender.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial gap", ensure you quantify the gap if possible to provide a clearer picture of its magnitude. For example, "a substantial gap of 20%".

Common error

Avoid using "substantial gap" when the difference is minimal or insignificant. Ensure that the gap genuinely warrants the adjective "substantial" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial gap" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "gap". It describes a significant difference or space between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage based on various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial gap" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant difference or disparity. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its frequent use in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember to quantify the gap when possible and avoid using the phrase if the difference is minimal. Consider alternatives such as "considerable discrepancy" or "significant disparity" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable discrepancy

Highlights the difference between two things, focusing on the inconsistency.

significant disparity

Emphasizes the inequality or difference in amounts or qualities.

marked contrast

Focuses on the obvious and noticeable difference between two things.

wide divergence

Implies a branching out or deviation leading to a large separation.

pronounced difference

Stresses that the difference is easily noticeable or obvious.

notable distinction

Focuses on the clear and important difference between two things.

large gulf

Suggests a significant separation, often implying difficulty in bridging the divide.

major divide

Implies a significant separation that can lead to disagreement or conflict.

appreciable difference

Highlights that the difference is measurable and significant.

meaningful separation

Stresses that the separation is important and has implications.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial gap" to describe a significant difference between two things. For example, "There is a substantial gap between the rich and the poor in this country".

What can I say instead of "substantial gap"?

You can use alternatives like "considerable discrepancy", "significant disparity", or "marked contrast" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very substantial gap"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "very substantial gap" can be redundant. The word "substantial" already implies a significant amount. It's usually more concise and effective to simply use "substantial gap".

What's the difference between "substantial gap" and "significant gap"?

While "substantial" and "significant" are synonyms, "substantial gap" often suggests a more tangible or quantifiable difference, whereas "significant gap" can refer to more abstract or conceptual differences.