substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'substantially' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large or significant degree or amount. For example, "The costs associated with the project have substantially increased since the beginning of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today he had to admit that not only has he missed his debt target but that growth will be substantially lower than he forecast.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The show was substantially removed from the show that they bought," remembers Pattinson.

The Guardian

The troubled broadcaster, which suffered the dreaded zero audience rating for some of its shows after its launch on 31 March this year, was told by on Ofcom on Tuesday that the proposals were "significant variations" which would "substantially alter" its output.

The Guardian

They found a strong relationship between the outgoing long wavelength radiation (infrared energy) and temperature; however, this relationship varies substantially across the planet.

The Guardian

When Facebook's published its requests data, the general counsel, Ted Ullyot, wrote: "We aggressively protect our users' data when confronted with such requests: we frequently reject such requests outright, or require the government to substantially scale down its requests, or simply give the government much less data than it has requested".

The Guardian - Tech

But I did have a worry – which I took the precaution of tweeting on election day – that there could also be more specific reasons why the polls might be substantially wrong this time.

The Guardian - Opinion

AOn Wednesday, colleagues of Daly will present a substantially identical resolution on greenhouse gas emissions at a shareholder meeting convened by fellow oil company Chevron.

The Guardian - Business

But that song had the advantage of a substantially more homogeneous pop landscape, filled with vanilla tunes like Jason Mraz's I'm Yours and Miley Cyrus's The Climb, and it used the popular chord progression of the Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling as a foundation throughout.

The Guardian - Music

The Green new deal calls for the re-regulation of finance and taxation, linked to a transformational economic programme to substantially reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

The Guardian - Opinion

DfID said it will ensure CDC only invests via jurisdictions deemed to have substantially implemented tax standards, according to the OECD global forum on tax and transparency.

The Guardian

Nationwide, which holds around a fifth of Britain's personal savings balances, angered customers after it began paying substantially more interest on its two- and three-year savings bonds than on its near-identical Isa accounts.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially" to emphasize a significant degree or amount, ensuring it accurately reflects the magnitude you intend to convey. It is particularly effective when quantifying impact or change.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "very" or "really" would be more appropriate. "Substantially" lends a formal tone and is better suited for professional or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "substantially" is as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the degree or extent of an action or quality. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially" functions as an adverb that indicates a significant degree or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's best suited for formal settings where precision and emphasis are required. Consider using alternatives like "considerably" or "significantly" for similar emphasis. Avoid overuse in informal contexts where simpler terms might be more appropriate. Its frequency and authoritative source backing make it a reliable choice for emphasizing magnitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably

This alternative indicates a noticeable or significant degree, often used interchangeably with "substantially".

significantly

Highlights the importance or impact of the degree or change, similar to "substantially".

markedly

Indicates a noticeable difference or change, similar in strength to "substantially".

appreciably

Suggests that something is noticeable or measurable, mirroring the impact of "substantially".

noticeably

Emphasizes that the degree or change is easily observed, akin to "substantially".

greatly

Implies a large extent or degree, often used in contexts where "substantially" fits well.

essentially

Focuses on the fundamental nature or core aspect, which can sometimes overlap with the meaning of "substantially" when referring to importance.

largely

Indicates that something is mainly or to a great extent true, similar to "substantially" in denoting proportion.

materially

This alternative signifies that something has a relevant and considerable effect.

to a great extent

This phrase expresses the magnitude or degree of something, aligning with the meaning of "substantially".

FAQs

How can I use "substantially" in a sentence?

Use "substantially" to indicate a significant degree or amount. For example, "The company's profits increased "substantially" this year."

What are some alternatives to "substantially"?

You can use alternatives such as "considerably", "significantly", or "markedly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "substantially improve"?

Yes, "substantially improve" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates a significant improvement.

What's the difference between "substantially" and "slightly"?

"Substantially" indicates a large degree or amount, while "slightly" indicates a small degree or amount. They are antonyms. For example, if costs increase "substantially", it's a major concern; if they increase "slightly", it may be less critical.