substantial power

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial power" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means having a considerable amount of influence or authority. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a person's position or a country's political influence. Example: The CEO of the company held substantial power, making all major decisions and shaping the company's direction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they have little substantial power.

The Washington Post

That is either a substantial power with important consequences or a trivial power with negligible consequences.

The Guardian

Black sitcoms have found a substantial power base on Fox, WB and UPN.

The New York Times

This can be particularly problematical when they wield substantial power over others.

Cornell University

But she did say that the Congress had substantial power in another sense.

The New York Times

The committee has substantial power over long-term care hospitals because it oversees Medicare.

The New York Times

He said the Wembley rally showed "the substantial power of our community, how we are progressing in this country.

The Guardian

They corner supplies, dominate spot markets and trade in futures and derivatives markets to wield substantial power.

The Guardian - Opinion

These parties, which are ideologically close to the Taliban, now wield substantial power along the Afghan border.

The New York Times

This is due to Telehouse North, one of our internet connection partners in the Docklands, suffering a substantial power failure.

The Guardian - Tech

For other variables such as collagen content, a paired design would gain substantial power.

Journal of Biomechanics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial power" to describe entities or forces that demonstrably impact outcomes and decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial power" when describing minor or negligible effects. Ensure the described power has a significant and demonstrable impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial power" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" is an adjective modifying the noun "power". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used. Examples illustrate its use to describe significant influence, authority, or capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial power" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies significant influence, authority, or capacity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears across various reputable sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and academic texts. The phrase is used in neutral register, appropriate for describing influence or capability in diverse contexts. While alternatives like "considerable influence" or "significant authority" offer nuanced variations, "substantial power" remains a robust and versatile choice for conveying a notable degree of control or impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable influence

Emphasizes influence as the primary aspect, rather than raw force.

significant authority

Highlights the legitimate right to exert influence and control.

notable impact

Focuses on the effect something has, rather than its inherent strength.

marked capacity

Emphasizes the potential to perform or achieve something.

major force

Highlights the idea of power as an active and driving influence.

extensive control

Indicates a broad reach and scope of influence.

appreciable strength

Focuses on the inherent capability to withstand or exert force.

vast dominance

Suggests a supreme level of control or influence.

real clout

An informal way to describe significant influence, especially in politics or business.

strong leverage

Highlights the ability to influence a situation or person to one's advantage.

FAQs

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

Use "substantial power" to describe entities or forces with significant influence. For example, "The committee holds "considerable power" over the allocation of resources."

What phrases can I use instead of "substantial power"?

Alternatives include "significant authority", "considerable influence", or "notable impact" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "substantial power" or "considerable power"?

Both "substantial power" and "considerable power" are correct, but "substantial" often implies a more tangible or measurable degree of power than "considerable".

In what contexts is the phrase "substantial power" commonly used?

The phrase is frequently used in contexts related to politics, business, and science to describe significant influence or control. It can also be used in technical writing to refer to the significant capacity of devices or systems to perform.