substantial trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious level of difficulty or problems someone is facing. Example: "After the storm, the community faced substantial trouble in restoring power and services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even now, if Lydon's comment had come on Breakfast News or Richard and Judy, the broadcaster would be in substantial trouble.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Intelligence from Stockport going into the game told us there was no substantial risk of trouble … unfortunately, you cannot legislate for the mentality of a very, very small minority".

The Guardian - Sport

Harriers chairman Mark Serrell said afterwards in a statement on the club's website: "Intelligence from Stockport going into the game [was] that there was no substantial risk of trouble - these people are experts in their field and gather that information well.

BBC

The amount of money for Trouble, while substantial, pales compared with the sums at issue in the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The New Yorker

Although you have received small contracts from the U.S. government to develop the vaccine, did you have trouble getting substantial funding to support the Ebola program?

Science Magazine

"Not everyone is prone to frequent trading, but among those who feel that they must trade frequently to do well, there is a substantial proportion who are troubled by their behavior.

The New York Times

Economists warn that over the long term, Spain will have trouble meeting its substantial financial requirements until foreign investors return to the market as regular buyers, injecting new money into the system.

The New York Times

These findings were seconded by senior NYPD officials and prosecutors who were quoted by the New York Times as saying that they would continue to "have trouble rooting out substantial numbers of corrupt officers as long as the P.B.A. resists them".

Huffington Post

Bernard J. Ebbers, the chief executive of WorldCom, the telecommunications company, ran into personal financial trouble last fall, when his substantial stake in the company fell in value.

The New York Times

But most of the vice president's speech today sought to portray his plan as a gateway to wealth, security and opportunity for people who have historically had trouble putting aside any substantial amounts of money in savings.

The New York Times

The potential for trouble, Morse says, is substantial.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial trouble", ensure the context clearly indicates the area or source of the difficulty. For instance, specify "substantial trouble with funding" or "substantial trouble meeting deadlines" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial trouble" when the situation involves minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations with genuine and significant difficulties. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial trouble" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "trouble". It describes a significant degree or amount of difficulty or problems, indicating that the trouble is not minor or trivial. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct and provides examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial trouble" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe significant difficulties or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science domains, with a neutral register suitable for both professional and general communication. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the source of the difficulty for clarity and avoid overstating the severity of minor inconveniences. Related phrases include "significant difficulty" and "considerable problems". Ludwig's analysis highlights the importance of context and appropriate usage for effectively conveying the seriousness of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant difficulty

Replaces "trouble" with a more formal synonym, "difficulty", and retains the emphasis on the magnitude of the problem.

considerable problems

Substitutes "trouble" with "problems" and "substantial" with "considerable", highlighting the extent of the difficulties.

major difficulties

Emphasizes the seriousness of the situation by using "major" instead of "substantial" to describe the difficulties.

serious problems

Focuses on the gravity of the issues, using "serious" as a direct replacement for "substantial" in describing the problems.

significant issues

Replaces "trouble" with "issues", offering a slightly more neutral term while maintaining the significance.

considerable challenges

Presents the "trouble" as "challenges", framing the situation as something to be overcome while still acknowledging its magnitude with "considerable".

extensive complications

Highlights the complexity and breadth of the difficulties by using "extensive complications".

grave difficulties

Uses "grave" to underscore the severity and potential consequences of the difficulties.

notable adversity

Shifts the focus to the concept of facing "adversity", using "notable" to indicate its significance.

severe predicament

Describes the situation as a "predicament", emphasizing the challenging and potentially dangerous nature of the trouble, and qualifies it as "severe".

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial trouble" to describe significant difficulties or problems. For example: "The company faced "substantial trouble" after the new regulations were implemented".

What is a good alternative to "substantial trouble"?

Alternatives to "substantial trouble" include "significant difficulty", "considerable problems", or "major difficulties". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "substantial trouble" formal or informal?

"Substantial trouble" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The word "substantial" indicates a significant amount or degree, making it suitable for describing a noteworthy problem regardless of the setting.

What does it mean to say someone is in "substantial trouble"?

To say someone is in "substantial trouble" means they are experiencing significant difficulties or problems that are likely to have serious consequences. The term highlights the severity of their predicament.