substantial reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is significant, meaningful, or contains a lot of information. Example: "After reviewing the feedback, I was pleased to receive a substantial reply that addressed all my concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A more substantial reply to Wittgensteinian non-realism has been the charge that it does not preserve but instead undermines the very intelligibility of religious practice.

SEP

For some reason, it took America's biggest toy company two months to send any kind of substantial reply.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So far HRW had sent two letters to Saudi authorities on the topic and met with officials at the embassy in the US, he said, but had yet to receive "any substantial replies" to queries over the targeting of strikes and precautions taken to minimize civilian casualties.

Vice

"Substantial," Smith replied prudently.

Los Angeles Times

Might he try to compensate by raising the local Council Tax? "At the moment there are no plans for any substantial increases," he replied.

The Guardian

The lapis-lazuli glow of her skin not the color a dictionary would define but something else, a color more like sounds shimmering inside me, invisible yet substantial, weighty as those replies to a letter and an e-mail that I attempt to picture until the words dissolve entirely and I'm wide awake, alone in the dark, waiting, wishing for her please, please to return.

The New Yorker

Hussey opened the home reply to Middlesex's substantial score with Adrian Rollins, whistled up after making 84 in a second XI match against Lancashire because the prolific Mal Loye has fallen victim to a dodgy beefburger.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you look at how many dance floors and festivals are happening everyday in all these different places on the planet, it's a much more substantial movement than an Olympic game," he replies.

Vice

"Standard right-to-reply procedures were followed, but no substantial editorial changes were made to the structure of the programme".

The Guardian

On being asked if she was comfortable with a substantial cut in Britain's humanitarian aid, Ms Patel replied that she did not see it as a cut because she had just announced more money for Nigeria.

BBC

Whereas the second suggestion was semantic ("motivation on the cheap," one might say), this reply is in part metaphysical and requires substantial work in the philosophy of mind.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial reply" when you want to emphasize that the response was not just a simple answer, but a well-considered and detailed one. For example, in formal correspondence or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial reply" in very casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in such situations. Simpler alternatives like "good answer" or "detailed response" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial reply" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "substantial" qualifies the noun "reply", indicating the response is considerable or significant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial reply" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant and informative response. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its usage is not very common, it effectively conveys the depth and thoroughness of a reply. Consider alternatives like "significant response" or "comprehensive answer" depending on the context. It's best suited for formal or professional settings, avoiding overuse in casual conversations to maintain appropriate tone and register. Remember, a "substantial reply" is more than just an answer; it's a detailed and well-considered response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant response

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the reply.

meaningful answer

Uses "meaningful" to highlight the value and importance of the reply.

comprehensive answer

Focuses on the thoroughness and completeness of the response.

thorough response

Emphasizes the detailed and complete nature of the reply.

detailed answer

Highlights that the reply contains a lot of specific information.

extensive response

Indicates that the reply is broad in scope and covers many aspects.

considerable reply

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable", indicating a large or significant response.

weighty response

Suggests that the reply is important and carries significant weight.

in-depth response

Focuses on the level of detail and analysis in the reply.

well-developed answer

Highlights that the reply is carefully thought out and elaborated.

FAQs

What does "substantial reply" mean?

A "substantial reply" refers to a response that is significant, meaningful, and contains a lot of information. It indicates the answer is not superficial but well-developed and thorough.

What can I say instead of "substantial reply"?

You can use alternatives like "significant response", "comprehensive answer", or "detailed answer" depending on the context.

Is "substantial reply" formal or informal?

"Substantial reply" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for professional or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.

How do I use "substantial reply" in a sentence?

Example: "After the presentation, we received a "substantial reply" from the board, addressing all of our concerns in detail." Another example: "The company took two months to provide a "substantial reply".