substantial liability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial liability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal, financial, or business contexts to refer to a significant obligation or responsibility that one party has towards another. Example: "The company faced substantial liability due to the breach of contract, which could result in significant financial penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The proposal may violate prior agreements between MIT, the City of Cambridge, and the federal government, risking substantial liability.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lorenzo suggests that classifying dissemination as a primary violation would inappropriately subject peripheral players in fraud (including him, naturally) to substantial liability.

Cornell University

Judge Denounces Cramped Seating As if the airlines didn't have enough to worry about, the long-simmering issue of deep-vein thrombosis keeps raising its head, with a growing threat of substantial liability.

The New York Times

Under this provision, even if Mr. Cohen and other SAC Capital executives were not personally aware of insider trading by portfolio managers, turning a blind eye to it could be enough to expose the firm to substantial liability.

The New York Times

According to the Guardian, the sale was underwritten at an optimistic price of 330 pence but that potential buyers were only prepared to pay 320 pence, leaving the underwriters with a substantial liability of 10 pence for each of the 65 million shares.

The New York Times

Only twice have significant third-party claims been made: around $1.2m for damage caused by the break-up of the Columbia space shuttle on re-entry in 2003, and $30m after the explosion of a rocket carrying a satellite that devastated an American car park in 1997, luckily with no injuries.Governments require private launches to carry substantial liability cover.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For example: can the Pension Protection Fund PPFF) stand the strain of having substantial liabilities dumped on it?

The Guardian - Business

Netflix is running up substantial liabilities as it struggles to bridge the gap between revenue and the spiralling cost of content.

The Guardian

But other cases are easily imaginable: Suppose an issuer fails to disclose substantial liabilities over a nine month period; then, when disclosure is finally made, its stock price falls 25percentt.

Columbia University

Even if the club were to succeed in the tax tribunal, it would still face substantial liabilities.

BBC

In basing their punitive award on the $25-million 25-millionf Simpson's futurestimateg, the panel did nof Simpsont the substantial liabilities Simpson has incurred, including tax bills, attorneys fees and bank loans.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal documents, clearly define what constitutes "substantial liability" in the context of the agreement. This helps avoid ambiguity and potential disputes over the extent of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial liability" as a generic term for any risk. Instead, specify the nature of the liability, such as "financial liability", "legal liability", or "environmental liability", to provide clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial liability" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "liability". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a significant obligation or responsibility. Examples in Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from legal agreements to financial risks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial liability" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a significant legal or financial obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to denote a considerable risk or responsibility, often in legal, business, and news contexts. To enhance clarity, specify the type of liability (e.g., financial, legal) and, where possible, quantify the potential impact. While the phrase is generally used correctly, be mindful of overuse and vagueness. Consider alternatives like "significant legal risk" or "considerable financial burden" for greater precision. The examples available in Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's use across various authoritative sources, reinforcing its formal and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sizeable legal obligation

Directly substitutes "liability" with "legal obligation" while retaining the emphasis on the magnitude.

major legal responsibility

Emphasizes the legal duty and importance of the obligation.

significant legal risk

Replaces "liability" with a more specific term related to law, emphasizing the potential legal consequences.

considerable financial burden

Focuses on the financial aspect of the liability, highlighting the potential strain on resources.

notable legal culpability

Focuses on the blameworthiness and legal fault associated with the liability.

large potential exposure

Highlights the vulnerability to negative consequences or claims.

meaningful exposure to claims

Highlights the potential for lawsuits or demands and their significance.

extensive accountability

Shifts the focus to the obligation to answer for actions and potential repercussions.

pronounced financial jeopardy

Emphasizes the danger and financial risk associated with the liability.

serious fiscal commitment

Underlines the financial aspect, framing the liability as a commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial liability" to describe a significant legal or financial obligation. For example, "The company faced a substantial liability due to the product recall."

What is a synonym for "substantial liability"?

Alternatives to "substantial liability" include "significant legal risk", "considerable financial burden", or "major legal responsibility".

Is it better to say "substantial liability" or "significant liability"?

Both "substantial liability" and "significant liability" are correct and interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are the consequences of incurring a "substantial liability"?

Incurring a "substantial liability" can lead to significant financial losses, legal penalties, and reputational damage for individuals or organizations.