substantially ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significantly in front or leading in comparison to something else, often in contexts like progress, performance, or competition. Example: "The team is substantially ahead of schedule in completing the project, which is a great achievement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The accounts for donations raised in 2013 show the party's income as £33.3m, substantially ahead of the Conservatives' £25.4m.

The Guardian - Opinion

While all peasants gained in dignity and status, only the landowning peasants came out substantially ahead economically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite a new, aggressive antinarcotics program and an increase in quality-of-life summonses, New York City's murder rate is still running substantially ahead of last year's.

The New York Times

While both have lagged the FT All Share Index over one year, over the past three and five years they are substantially ahead.

The Guardian - Money

However, its "Delight-o-meter -- a section on its Web site that tracks holiDelight-o-meter --Delight-o-meter --r to be substantially ahead of lasection.

The New York Times

The convention period was Mitt Romney's best chance to pull substantially ahead of the president and set himself up to pull away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But the City was buoyed by French Connection's wholesale revenues being "well ahead of the level last year", prompting Numis analysts to substantially mark up their pre-tax profit forecast to £5.3m for this financial year.

Independent

HSBC, which has a long history in the region, bought its first stake in Ping An in 2002, well ahead of the company's I.P.O., and later increased its stake substantially.

The New York Times

While she is still well ahead of Mr. McBride in polls, he has closed the gap somewhat in recent weeks and has raised substantially more money.

The New York Times

Numis analyst Nick James said: Third quarter revenue is well ahead from very strong licensing, earnings per share is in-line, but royalty revenue is short of expectations with growth rate slowing substantially.

The Guardian - Business

"We're ahead substantially," said Tad Devine, a top strategist for Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially ahead", ensure the context clearly defines what is being led or exceeded, providing a quantifiable or qualitative comparison for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially ahead" in very informal or casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it may sound overly formal or stilted in those settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "way ahead" or "much further".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially ahead" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being significantly in front or more advanced than another. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially ahead" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate a significant lead or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across varied contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional registers and should be used judiciously in more informal settings. Alternative phrases such as "considerably in front" or "significantly in the lead" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly in the lead

Emphasizes the act of leading by a significant amount.

considerably in front

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical position of being far in front.

well in advance

Highlights progress or completion happening significantly earlier than expected.

comfortably winning

Specifically relates to winning or achieving victory with a clear margin.

noticeably superior

Emphasizes the aspect of being superior or better to a noticeable degree.

markedly exceeding

Stresses the act of exceeding expectations or standards by a noticeable amount.

substantially exceeding

Focuses on exceeding by a substantial amount.

far surpassing

Indicates a level of achievement that greatly exceeds expectations or previous results.

distinctly ahead

Emphasizes the clear and easily noticeable difference in leading.

appreciably further

Highlights that the progress or distance covered is noticeably more.

FAQs

What does "substantially ahead" mean?

The phrase "substantially ahead" means being significantly or considerably in front or in a more advanced position compared to something or someone else. It indicates a notable advantage or lead.

How can I use "substantially ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially ahead" to describe progress, performance, or any situation where something is leading by a significant margin. For example, "The company's profits are "significantly in the lead" compared to last year."

What are some alternatives to "substantially ahead"?

Alternatives to "substantially ahead" include "well in advance", "considerably in front", or "significantly in the lead". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "well ahead" instead of "substantially ahead"?

Yes, "well ahead" is a simpler and often interchangeable alternative to "substantially ahead". "Well ahead" /s/well+ahead indicates a good lead, while "substantially ahead" emphasizes that the lead is significant or considerable.