substantial reservations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial reservations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing significant doubts or concerns about a particular issue or decision. Example: "The committee expressed substantial reservations about the proposed budget cuts, fearing they would negatively impact essential services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I have substantial reservations about both Rand and her philosophy.

The Washington Post

In November 1919 and again in March 1920 the proposal to ratify with substantial reservations was defeated, and the hope of U.S. membership disappeared, as it proved, forever.

Britannica

Almost without exception, they have approached this race with the same strategy: to try to emerge as the alternative to Mrs. Clinton and take advantage of substantial reservations in Democratic circles about her potential to win the White House.

The New York Times

It is also too soon to know how Mr. Perry will fare in Iowa once he does begin taking questions here about his position on issues including immigration, Social Security, and ethanol subsidies — issues that many Iowa Republicans, despite their fondness for Mr. Perry's charisma, background and values, have substantial reservations about.

The New York Times

He accepts many people have "substantial reservations ".

BBC

He testified before Congress and in an email to The Associated Press, Armstrong said he had "substantial reservations," and along with more than two dozen Apollo-era veterans, he signed a letter calling the plan a "misguided proposal that forces NASA out of human space operations for the foreseeable future".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But if production delays worsen, customers may question the wisdom of making substantial reservation payments to Tesla.

The New York Times

My one substantial reservation is the final line, because here the poem seems to break its own contract with the material, straining resonance of a type to which the poem's specifications are not suited.

The Guardian - Books

Most reservations have substantial non-Indian populations, and Native families are often mixed.

The New York Times

His reservations about substantial forms were articulated in the draft copy of Fundamenta physices, which he had sent to Descartes prior to publication.

SEP

On Jerusalem, the Israeli reservations were more substantial than the Palestinian ones.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial reservations", clearly articulate the reasons for those reservations to provide context and demonstrate critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial reservations" when your concerns are minor or easily addressed. Reserve this phrase for situations where the doubts are significant and could have major consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial reservations" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" is an adjective modifying the noun "reservations". It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, expressing the existence of significant doubts or concerns about something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial reservations" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing significant doubts or concerns. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post. Ludwig AI analysis and Ludwig examples confirm that the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the reservations are indeed significant and clearly articulate the reasons behind them. Consider alternatives like "significant concerns" or "major doubts" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant concerns

Replaces "substantial reservations" with synonyms emphasizing the importance of the concerns.

major doubts

Substitutes "reservations" with "doubts" and "substantial" with "major", indicating strong uncertainty.

considerable misgivings

Uses "misgivings" as a more formal synonym for "reservations", suggesting unease.

serious apprehensions

Replaces "reservations" with "apprehensions" and "substantial" with "serious", highlighting anxiety or fear.

grave reservations

Emphasizes the seriousness of the reservations.

deep-seated concerns

Indicates that the concerns are fundamental and long-lasting.

strong objections

Highlights active resistance or disagreement.

notable hesitations

Focuses on the reluctance or unwillingness to proceed.

marked skepticism

Emphasizes doubt and disbelief.

pronounced qualms

Uses a less common term, "qualms", to express feelings of unease or doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial reservations" to express significant doubts or concerns about something. For example, "The committee expressed "substantial reservations" about the proposed budget cuts."

What's a good alternative to "substantial reservations"?

Alternatives to "substantial reservations" include "significant concerns", "major doubts", or "serious apprehensions", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial reservations" or "minor reservations"?

The choice between "substantial reservations" and "minor reservations" depends on the degree of concern. Use "substantial" when the reservations are significant and potentially impactful, and "minor" when the reservations are small and easily addressed.

What does "substantial reservations" imply about the speaker's perspective?

Using "substantial reservations" suggests that the speaker has carefully considered the matter and has identified significant reasons for caution or doubt. It indicates a more serious level of concern than simply having questions or minor uncertainties.