substantial outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant expenditure or investment, often in a financial context. Example: "The company made a substantial outlay on new equipment to improve production efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It involves a substantial outlay for the chain, Britain's largest, because it has 3,300 stores.

The Guardian

For one thing, many experiences demand a substantial outlay on commodities: horses, hounds and jodhpurs, for example.

The Economist

Despite substantial outlay on players following the summer takeover by the Italian energy magnate Francesco Becchetti, the team have struggled.

The Guardian - Sport

But, in a short time, the mortgage was granted, the house was bought, and we moved — a hugely disruptive event in a family that experienced few, almost no, events that involved a substantial outlay of money.

The New Yorker

Another break that requires a substantial outlay (and quick action on your part) is the newly expanded and extended homebuyer credit.

Forbes

Since the Reagan years, there has been almost no new social policy that required a substantial outlay of money.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Artz family has also made substantial outlays for their pastime.

The New York Times

And there were also substantial outlays to rescue troubled financial institutions, although it appears that the government will get most of its money back.

The New York Times

Among them were these substantial outlays: *A $60 million increase in American military aid to Israel, pushing military assistance up to $1.9 billion -- the largest item in the foreign aid budget.

The New York Times

Park Slope, a busy neighborhood of 60,000 residents, has almost always demanded sacrifices of its brownstone-seekers, whether they come in years of repairs and renovations, or in the substantial outlays of cash now required to scoop up a restored limestone or brownstone.

The New York Times

In this, he has had the support of all the main political parties in Britain, though some politicians, including a number in his own Conservative Party, have questioned how long Britain, with a $50 billion defense budget that is already severely overstretched, can continue to make such substantial outlays on faraway, thinly populated islands with scant strategic value.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial investments or expenditures, use "substantial outlay" to emphasize the significant amount of money involved.

Common error

Avoid using "layout" instead of "outlay". "Layout" refers to arrangement or design, while "outlay" refers to expenditure. For example, say "The company had a substantial outlay for the new project", not "The company had a substantial layout for the new project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial outlay" functions as a noun phrase where "substantial" modifies the noun "outlay". It describes the magnitude or size of an expenditure. The phrase is considered correct by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial outlay" is a grammatically correct and usable term that refers to a significant expenditure. As determined by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is primarily used in news, science and formal business contexts to emphasize the magnitude of an investment or expense. While considered neutral in register, it is more commonly found in professional settings. Alternatives include "significant expenditure" and "considerable investment". Remember to avoid confusing "outlay" with "layout".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant expenditure

Replaces "outlay" with the more general term "expenditure" and "substantial" with "significant", maintaining the core meaning of a noteworthy expense.

considerable investment

Substitutes "outlay" with "investment", implying a more strategic and potentially beneficial expenditure. "Considerable" replaces "substantial".

major expense

"Major" replaces "substantial" and expense is used instead of "outlay", conveying a similar meaning in a simpler way.

large financial commitment

Replaces "outlay" with "financial commitment", highlighting the obligation aspect of the expenditure. "Large" substitutes "substantial".

significant capital injection

This alternative is more specific, using "capital injection" to refer to a substantial influx of funds, particularly into a business or project.

sizable cash injection

Similar to the previous entry, but uses "cash injection", implying immediacy of the expense. "Sizable" is used instead of "substantial".

extensive monetary allocation

This uses a more formal tone, replacing "outlay" with "monetary allocation" and "substantial" with "extensive".

notable financial contribution

Emphasizes the contribution aspect of the outlay, suggesting it is a significant input of funds. "Notable" replaces "substantial".

heavy investment

"Heavy" is a more direct synonym for "substantial" and is coupled with investment, implying a considerable expenditure.

significant monetary commitment

Combines the sense of "significant expenditure" with that of a financial obligation, like "large financial commitment".

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial outlay" to describe a significant expenditure. For instance, "The new factory required a "substantial outlay" of capital".

What are some alternatives to "substantial outlay"?

Alternatives include "significant expenditure", "considerable investment", or "major expense", depending on the specific context.

Is "substantial outlay" formal or informal?

"Substantial outlay" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in business or news contexts.

What's the difference between "substantial outlay" and "minor expense"?

"Substantial outlay" implies a significant amount of money spent, whereas "minor expense" refers to a small, insignificant expenditure. They are opposites in terms of financial impact.