substantial shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial shame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable feeling of shame in various contexts, such as personal experiences or societal issues. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he felt a substantial shame that weighed heavily on his conscience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Terrifyingly, we seem intent to deny our obligations in the international sphere with regard to human rights and are in a spitting match at the United Nations, much to our substantial shame.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is a real shame the application has been refused as it would have generated substantial economic benefits to the region.

BBC

It's just a real shame.

BMJ Open

China's efforts to constrain the growth of its emissions have been substantial, and certainly put to shame those of many developed nations.

The Guardian

Yet in the show's last scenes, in which Harold realizes his love for Marian, something substantial, a mix of sensuality and shame, suddenly shines through.

The New York Times

Multiple copies, junk-food reads and substantial classics I'll admit, with a sigh of shamed relief, that I'm never going to get round to reading - charity shop ho, my chicks.

The Guardian - Books

He appeared to be negotiating much of this show on automatic pilot, which was a shame since his recent reinvention by MTV had pulled in substantial numbers of twentysomethings alongside veterans from the age of wireless.

The Guardian

For the individual student there may be substantial financial and emotional costs involved with failure or course withdrawal, perhaps including shame or stigma.

BMC Medical Education

If ASEAN's leaders had quickly and publicly pledged substantial aid, even if it had not immediately been accepted, it might have shamed the regime into moving a bit further than it has.

The Economist

"SHAME! Shame!

The Economist

"Shame, shame," they chanted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial shame" when you want to emphasize a considerable or significant feeling of shame, rather than a fleeting moment of embarrassment.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial shame" for minor mishaps or trivial situations. The phrase is more appropriate for expressing a deep sense of regret or dishonor resulting from serious actions or failures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial shame" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "shame", indicating a significant or considerable degree of shame. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples confirm its use in contexts involving significant feelings of disgrace or regret.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial shame" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich phrase used to express a significant degree of shame. While Ludwig identifies it as usable and correct, it is relatively rare, often appearing in news and media contexts. Its purpose is to convey the intensity or impact of the emotion, and while "great shame" or "significant shame" can be used as alternatives, "substantial shame" suggests a weightier feeling of regret or disgrace. The usage of the term is most appropriate when describing feelings of deep regret or dishonor following a significant mistake, ethical breach, or failure of some kind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

great shame

Replaces "substantial" with "great", emphasizing the magnitude of the shame.

significant shame

Uses "significant" instead of "substantial", highlighting the importance or impact of the shame.

considerable shame

Employs "considerable" to indicate a noteworthy degree of shame.

profound shame

Indicates a deep and intense feeling of shame.

deep humiliation

Shifts the focus to the feeling of being humiliated, which can be closely related to shame.

intense remorse

Highlights the feeling of regret and guilt associated with shame.

utter disgrace

Conveys a sense of complete loss of honor or respect, often leading to shame.

palpable embarrassment

Indicates a feeling of self-consciousness, discomfort, or shame.

acute guilt

Focuses on the sharp and painful feeling of having done something wrong.

inescapable dishonor

Highlights the unavoidable loss of reputation or respect, leading to lasting shame.

FAQs

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

"Substantial shame" is used to describe a significant feeling of shame, as in, "After the scandal broke, the politician felt a "substantial shame" for his actions".

What are some alternatives to "substantial shame"?

Alternatives to "substantial shame" include "great shame", "significant shame", or "profound shame".

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

Both "substantial shame" and "considerable shame" are acceptable, but "substantial shame" might imply a weightier or more impactful feeling of shame.

What kind of situations warrant the use of "substantial shame"?

"Substantial shame" is best used when describing feelings of deep regret or dishonor following a significant mistake, ethical breach, or failure of some kind. It suggests that the shame is not fleeting, but deeply felt.