substantial update

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial update" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large change or addition to something, usually related to technology. For example, "We released a substantial update to our software last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Touted as a DS launch title, the game never left Japan, where it received a substantial update in 2008.

The Guardian - Tech

An FA spokesman confirmed that a "substantial update" on the case would come "on Monday or Tuesday".

Independent

He said the authority could provide a more substantial update later in the day Tuesday, as the sunlight allowed crews to assess the system more thoroughly.

The New York Times

A more substantial update involves a change in identity of one of the two killers responsible for the eponymous body in the library.

The Guardian

The first substantial update to national science teaching standards in roughly 15 years — and the first including the science of human-driven climate change — is open for public comment through this month.

The New York Times

Sounds like a substantial update.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The small late team of subeditors who proofread pages are often busy making substantial updates and pressed for time.

The Guardian - Opinion

However we will be introducing versioning in the near future so that we will be able to do substantial updates with no down time.

The Guardian

In addition, an existing model for the combustion of MCH is updated with new reaction rates and pathways, including substantial updates to the low-temperature chemistry.

Combustion and Flame

Substantial updates are encouraged respect the actual technology readiness level.

European Transport Research Review

More substantial updates are made to airport fragility functions as we also incorporated the duration of airport closure.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing updates, specify which area has been updated (e.g., "substantial software update", "substantial policy update") for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial update" for minor changes. Reserve it for significant overhauls that introduce tangible improvements or new functionalities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial update" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "update". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an event or change.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial update" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote significant changes or additions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and technical fields. The phrase communicates that the update brings noticeable improvements or new features. While appropriate for formal writing, it's best reserved for changes that are truly significant to avoid overstating their impact. Alternatives like "significant revision", "major overhaul", or "extensive modification" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant revision

Emphasizes a formal and noteworthy alteration.

major overhaul

Highlights a comprehensive and transformative change.

extensive modification

Stresses the breadth and detail of the changes made.

comprehensive upgrade

Focuses on the improvement aspect of a broad change.

considerable enhancement

Highlights the positive impact and notable improvement.

notable addition

Emphasizes the significance of what has been added.

marked improvement

Focuses on the clear and distinct betterment achieved.

sweeping change

Suggests a wide-ranging and impactful modification.

significant development

Indicates a crucial advancement or progression.

thorough revision

Highlights the meticulous and detailed nature of the alteration.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial update" to describe significant changes or additions to something. For example, "The operating system received a "substantial update" with improved security features."

What's the difference between a "substantial update" and a minor update?

A "substantial update" implies significant changes, improvements, or additions, whereas a minor update typically involves bug fixes or small enhancements.

What can I say instead of "substantial update"?

You can use alternatives like "significant revision", "major overhaul", or "extensive modification", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "substantial update" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial update" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing technological or policy changes in a professional or academic context. The phrase indicates the change is significant and noteworthy.