substantial to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial to say" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "It is substantial to say that the project has made significant progress this quarter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

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

Between now and November, we will find out whether either candidate has anything substantial to say on urban policy.

The New York Times - Arts

But on Officer Schoolcraft's forced hospitalization, neither Mr. Kelly, nor his boss, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, has had anything substantial to say.

The New York Times

If you're going to update a Greek play, you'd better have something more substantial to say than "the Greeks had wars too".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

As I mentioned the other day, I suspect that Jean-Luc Godard's new film, "Film Socialisme," which opens tomorrow, will rekindle discussion, such as had become common last fall (on the occasion of his honorary Oscar), regarding his attitude toward Jews: in this film, he mentions Jews on several occasions and in ways that are substantial and, to say the least, non-trivial.

The New Yorker

"With Thompson, he was never given anything substantial to do," said Don Kettl, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin.

The New York Times

Is this the last substantial thing you want to say about George?

The New York Times

Mr. Booker, a resident who has run citywide twice and served on City Council, has, safe to say, substantial knowledge of Newark's needs, and has probably given some thought to these standard urban remedies.

The New York Times

Black Hawk Down Ridley Scott's gifts with color and visual texture outrun anything substantial his film has to say about a failed American military mission in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "substantial to say" with phrases like "important to mention" or "significant to add" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial to say" when you mean "important to mention". While "substantial" implies significance, the construction "substantial to say" is grammatically awkward and can confuse readers. Opt for clearer alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial to say" functions as an attempt to introduce a significant point or observation. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. It is often intended to emphasize the importance of the statement that follows.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "substantial to say" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to emphasize the importance of a following statement. However, it's advisable to use clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "important to mention" or "significant to add". This ensures effective communication and avoids potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

important to mention

Highlights the significance of the statement.

noteworthy to state

Emphasizes the remarkable aspect of the information.

significant to add

Focuses on the importance of the additional information.

essential to point out

Stresses the crucial nature of the observation.

critical to emphasize

Indicates the utmost importance of highlighting the detail.

imperative to note

Highlights the obligatory nature of noticing something.

relevant to mention

Suggests that it should be mentioned based on its relevance.

vital to consider

Stresses the necessity of taking something into account.

crucial to understand

Highlights that it is important to understand something.

key to remember

Emphasizes the importance of remembering something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the word "substantial" in a sentence?

The word "substantial" should be used as an adjective describing something of considerable importance, size, or worth. For example, "The company made a substantial profit this year."

What can I say instead of "substantial to say"?

You can use alternatives like "important to mention", "significant to add", or "essential to point out" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "substantial to say" in formal writing?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The phrase "substantial to say" is considered an incorrect usage. Use more appropriate phrases like "important to mention" or "significant to add".

Which is correct, "substantial to say" or "substantial enough to say"?

Neither is considered correct in standard English. If you want to emphasize the magnitude before saying something, consider rephrasing to something like "It is important to mention" followed by your substantial point.