substantial lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial lead" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a significant advantage or head start in a competition or race. Example: "The team's strong performance in the first half gave them a substantial lead over their opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

She has a substantial lead in the state of denial.

The New York Times

South Carolina polls show Mr. Bush with a substantial lead.

The New York Times

Granderson's substantial lead can be attributed to three things.

The New York Times

Even though it had the breeze, Alinghi could not build a substantial lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Every time the Wolfpack built a substantial lead, Syracuse fought back.

The New York Times - Sports

The understated Bersani saw an initially substantial lead in the polls slip away.

The Guardian

So it's worth considering why Natalie won with a substantial lead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bush has managed to erase D's substantial lead of earlier this summer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Recent polling shows Sanders with a substantial lead in that state.

Vice

He was referring to Mr. Romney's once-substantial lead in Iowa, which Mr. Huckabee has erased.

The New York Times

A poll released today even shows Mr. Nader cutting into Mr. Gore's once-substantial lead in California.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial lead", ensure that the context clearly defines what the lead is in reference to (e.g., a "substantial lead" in votes, sales, or a race).

Common error

Avoid using "substantial lead" when the advantage is marginal or insignificant. Ensure the data or observations genuinely support the claim of a large or important lead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial lead" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "lead". It denotes a significant advantage or head start, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial lead" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies a significant advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase, with "substantial" modifying "lead". Primarily used in news and media, this phrase is valuable for expressing a clear dominance or advantage in various scenarios, from elections to market share. While alternatives like "significant advantage" or "clear dominance" exist, "substantial lead" remains a direct and effective way to communicate a noteworthy advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant advantage

Replaces "lead" with "advantage", emphasizing the beneficial position.

considerable head start

Uses "head start" instead of "lead", highlighting the initial advantage.

marked superiority

Emphasizes the degree of being superior.

clear dominance

Focuses on the aspect of control and authority implied by a large lead.

commanding position

Highlights the strong and influential standing due to the lead.

comfortable margin

Suggests a safe and secure lead, minimizing risk.

decisive advantage

Implies that the advantage is compelling and will likely determine the outcome.

notable edge

Substitutes "lead" with "edge", emphasizing the competitive aspect.

pronounced advantage

Highlights the distinct and easily noticeable quality of the advantage.

significant edge

Synonymous to "notable edge" but may imply being more impactful.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial lead" to describe a significant advantage in various contexts. For example, "The candidate has a "substantial lead" in the polls" or "The company has a "substantial lead" in market share".

What is a synonym for "substantial lead"?

Alternatives to "substantial lead" include "significant advantage", "considerable head start", or "clear dominance", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "substantially lead" instead of "substantial lead"?

No, "substantially lead" is grammatically incorrect. "Substantial" is an adjective modifying the noun "lead", while "substantially" is an adverb and cannot be used in this context. You could say someone "substantially leads" but not "a substantially lead".

What's the difference between a "substantial lead" and a "slight lead"?

A "substantial lead" indicates a significant and noticeable advantage, whereas a "slight lead" refers to a small and potentially precarious advantage. One implies security, the other vulnerability.