substantial irony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial irony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable level of irony in a situation, statement, or piece of writing. Example: "The author's use of substantial irony in the novel highlights the contradictions in society's values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A substantial irony enters here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Without a substantial dose of irony, short stories don't work that way; the heavy-handedness of the novelist smashes them flat.

The New York Times - Books

Thanks to his scornful rejection of systematic thinking and a style that makes substantial use of irony, ellipsis, and the riddling wisdom of a Shakespearean clown, his books have notoriously meant what his readers have wanted them to mean.

The New Yorker

Getting the irony?

TechCrunch

He restricted himself generally to those cases which have already reached fruition: a News of the World reporter, for example, plus a private detective employed by that newspaper, who were tried, convicted, and jailed — and then, as Leveson points out in one of his more sulphuric applications of irony, "paid very substantial sums as compensation for loss of employment when they were released".

The New Yorker

As it notes without irony in its SEC filing, "our substantial leverage could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition".

The Economist

The irony is that, just as Bulgaria has begun receiving substantial external support for receiving refugees, it has also elected to stop letting them in.

Independent

The irony, XXXXXXXXXXXX explained, was that Sinn Fein was already raising substantial sums for its political activities in the South through legal avenues.

The Guardian

Apart from his comic operas, translations of Donizetti and Offenbach, pantomimes and burlesques, a substantial proportion of his popular work consisted of naturalistic fourth-wall plays, all of them Gilbertian in their irony.

The Guardian - Music

Irony, much?

The New York Times - Books

The irony!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial irony" when you want to emphasize the significant or considerable nature of the ironic situation. It's particularly effective when the irony is not subtle.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial irony" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "significant irony" or describing the specific nature of the irony instead of just labeling it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial irony" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "irony", emphasizing the significant degree or extent of the irony. The function of the phrase is to provide a descriptor of the irony being present. It is grammatically correct, as indicated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial irony" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to highlight a significant degree of irony in a situation. While the frequency of its use is currently rare, as indicated by Ludwig AI and supported by the limited number of examples, it effectively serves to emphasize the weight or importance of the irony being described. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, though also applicable to formal and analytical writing. For those seeking alternative expressions, "significant irony" and "considerable irony" offer very similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant irony

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", indicating a notable degree of irony.

considerable irony

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable", suggesting a noteworthy amount of irony.

marked irony

Uses "marked" to emphasize the noticeable presence of irony.

profound irony

Implies a deep or insightful level of irony.

deep-seated irony

Highlights the ingrained or fundamental nature of the irony.

heavy irony

Emphasizes the weight or intensity of the irony.

strong irony

Indicates a powerful or impactful irony.

obvious irony

Focuses on the readily apparent nature of the irony.

clear irony

Similar to "obvious irony", emphasizing the lack of ambiguity.

evident irony

Highlights the readily perceivable nature of the irony.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial irony" to describe situations where the irony is particularly significant or noticeable. For example: "There's a "significant irony" in the fact that the fire station burned down."

What are some alternatives to "substantial irony"?

Alternatives to "substantial irony" include "significant irony", "considerable irony", or "marked irony". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "substantial irony" and "slight irony"?

"Substantial irony" implies a significant degree of irony, while "slight irony" suggests a minor or subtle irony. The difference lies in the intensity and impact of the ironic situation.

When is it appropriate to use "substantial irony" in formal writing?

"Substantial irony" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to emphasize the importance or magnitude of an ironic situation. However, be mindful of your audience and ensure that the irony is clear and the term is used effectively.