substantial performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal and contractual contexts to refer to a situation where a party has fulfilled enough of their obligations under a contract to warrant payment or other benefits, even if they have not fully completed all terms. Example: "The contractor's work was deemed to be of substantial performance, allowing them to receive partial payment despite some minor deficiencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today he will give a more substantial performance.

The Guardian

The question here is whether there has been substantial performance.

Harvard University

Substantial performance gains have been observed in simulations.

Signal Processing: Image Communication

The court held that the plaintiff failed to show substantial performance.

Harvard University

By combining morphological, phonetic and syllabic segmentations, we demonstrate substantial performance gains.

Princeton University

For many bands the only substantial performance fee of the week might come from a sponsored party.

The New York Times - Arts

Harris is probably known best for his substantial performance as the astronaut John Glenn in "The Right Stuff".

The New York Times - Magazine

Elizabeth Van Dyke offers the broadest and least substantial performance as Annie, the churchgoer who becomes a temptress.

The New York Times

We observed a substantial performance difference in the ability to predict the two GO categories (Molecular Function versus Biological Process).

Nature

Regardless, the chosen center of gravity must be an area that is important and that allows for substantial performance improvement.

Harvard Business Review

For substantial performance, the plaintiff should recover the contract price less the damages caused the defendant by the incomplete performance.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing contracts or legal obligations, use "substantial performance" to indicate that a party has met the key requirements, even if some minor details are outstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial performance" when you actually mean 'complete performance'. "Substantial performance" implies some minor deviations from the original agreement, while complete performance signifies full and perfect adherence to all terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial performance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often within legal and business contexts. It describes the degree to which a task, obligation, or contract has been fulfilled. Ludwig showcases its use in various sentences, often relating to achievements or improvements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial performance" is a frequently used phrase indicating that a significant portion of an obligation or task has been successfully completed, even if some minor details remain unfulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its applications span diverse fields like science, news, academia, and law. When aiming for clarity and precision, particularly in formal contexts, remember that "substantial performance" signifies less than complete adherence, and alternatives like "significant achievement" might better suit the context when complete success is implied. As Ludwig's examples indicate, it's crucial to differentiate it from "complete performance" to accurately reflect the level of fulfillment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial fulfillment

Focuses on meeting most requirements, possibly with slight imperfections.

significant level of attainment

Highlights the accomplishment of reaching a notable standard or goal.

significant achievement

Emphasizes the accomplishment aspect more than the process of performing.

considerable accomplishment

Highlights the extent and impact of the achievement.

material execution

Focuses on the tangible and impactful nature of the execution.

notable fulfillment

Underscores the successful completion of a task or obligation.

marked proficiency

Stresses the high level of skill and competence demonstrated.

major delivery

Implies a significant output or result achieved.

meaningful completion

Highlights the significance and value of the completed work.

appreciable degree of efficacy

Emphasizes the effectiveness and positive outcome resulting from the performance.

FAQs

How is "substantial performance" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "substantial performance" refers to a situation where a party has fulfilled the essential obligations of a contract, even if there are minor deviations or imperfections. It allows for partial payment or recognition of fulfillment despite some shortcomings.

What distinguishes "substantial performance" from "complete performance"?

"Substantial performance" indicates that the core requirements of an agreement have been met, but there might be minor issues remaining. "Complete performance", on the other hand, implies that all aspects of the agreement have been perfectly fulfilled without any deviations.

What are some alternatives to using "substantial performance" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "significant achievement", "considerable accomplishment", or "material execution" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to argue for "substantial performance" instead of "complete performance" in a contractual dispute?

Arguing for "substantial performance" is appropriate when you have largely met the obligations of a contract but there are minor, non-essential deviations. You would need to demonstrate that the core purpose of the contract has been fulfilled, even if some details are not perfect.