substantial to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial to" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey the intended meaning clearly.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is significant or important in relation to something else, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The findings were substantial to the overall conclusions of the study."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Are these teachings substantial to what the faith is?

The New York Times

He had to find something substantial to eat.

The New Yorker

"That seems pretty substantial to me," he said.

The New Yorker

As such we rarely contribute anything substantial to knowledge.

The Guardian

Those who wished to dismiss him had something substantial to point to: his graceless Italian.

The New Yorker

But [the book's heroine] Roberta herself is too substantial to be a caricature.

The New Yorker

And five whole grilled sardines -- briny, smoky, crunchy -- are almost too substantial to be an appetizer.

The New York Times

So I didn't send anything unless I had something substantial to say.

The New York Times

His public pitches are unconvincing because, right now, the government has nothing substantial to say.

The Guardian

The implications of this alternative are substantial, to say the least.

The Guardian - Opinion

And when the computers in Mr. Lepage's "Ring" go haywire, there's nothing substantial to compensate.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more common alternatives such as "essential to" or "critical for" if the context allows, as they may improve clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial to" when a simpler preposition like "for" or "in" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted. For example, instead of saying "This research is substantial to the development of new drugs", consider "This research is important for the development of new drugs."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a significant relationship or contribution. Ludwig's examples show it connecting a subject with something it significantly impacts or is important for. In simpler terms, it shows importance or consequence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial to" is a prepositional phrase used to denote a significant relationship or impact, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically acceptable, it is not as common as alternatives like "significant to" or "important to". It appears more frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. The phrase can be useful for emphasizing importance but should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal. Ludwig AI suggests exploring more common alternatives for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant for

Emphasizes the importance or consequence for something.

important for

Highlights the relevance or value for a particular purpose or outcome.

critical for

Stresses the necessity or crucial nature for a specific result.

essential for

Indicates an indispensable requirement or condition for something.

vital for

Similar to essential, emphasizes the life-sustaining or crucial aspect.

meaningful for

Focuses on the relevance or significance from a subjective viewpoint.

relevant to

Indicates a direct connection or pertinence to a particular topic.

consequential for

Highlights the potential outcomes or implications.

instrumental in

Stresses its role in facilitating or achieving something.

significant in relation to

Explicitly frames the significance within a comparative context.

FAQs

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

Use "substantial to" to show something is important or significant for something else. For example: "The evidence was substantial to the court's decision."

What are some alternatives to "substantial to"?

Alternatives include "significant to", "important to", or "critical to", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "substantial to" formal or informal?

"Substantial to" leans toward a more formal register. In informal contexts, simpler phrases might be preferred.

How does "substantial to" compare to "essential to"?

"Substantial to" indicates something is significant, while "essential to" indicates something is absolutely necessary or indispensable. The choice depends on the degree of importance you want to express.