substantially all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially all" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean most or almost all of something, and is especially useful in referring to a majority or plurality. For example: "Substantially all of the voters chose the incumbent candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And substantially all those sales are from the off-label use for pulmonary fibrosis, according to the company's regulatory filings.

The New York Times

PricewaterhouseCoopers U.S. completed an acquisition of substantially all the assets of BTG Partners, Miami, a digital consultancy.

The New York Times

The notes would be secured on a second-priority lien basis on substantially all the assets owned by the company.

Forbes

Callidus will pay approximately $3.75 million in cash to ForceLogix Technologies for substantially all the assets relating to the ForceLogix business.

TechCrunch

To become conform with WTO rules these EPAs need to cover substantially all the trade between the partners (Scollay and Grynberg 2005).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

For substantially all ideas are secondhand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources..

The New Yorker

Only 26 states have laws that grant collective-bargaining privileges to substantially all public employees.

The Economist

Hence the description of the deal consideration as "substantially all" in cash.

The New York Times

For substantially all ideas are secondhand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources.

The New Yorker

Yahoo's acquisition of Tumblr will be structured with substantially all of the $1.1 billion deal consideration offered in cash.

The New York Times

The first condition disapproved partial preferential arrangements covering only some products, while accepting broad arrangements covering (substantially) all products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially all" when you want to convey that something applies to almost the entire quantity or scope, but you need to acknowledge that there might be minor exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially all" when you genuinely mean "all". If there are no exceptions, "all" is more direct and accurate. Overusing "substantially all" can make your writing seem unnecessarily cautious or vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially all" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate that something applies to the vast majority, but not necessarily the entirety, of the referenced entity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially all" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something applies to nearly the entirety of a specified quantity or group. Ludwig AI validates that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples available. While alternatives like "almost all" and "nearly all" exist, "substantially all" provides a nuance that's especially suited to legal, financial, and descriptive contexts where near-total inclusion is intended but minor exceptions might occur. This phrase, being frequent in news, business, and scientific sources, helps writers achieve a balance between precision and clarity. Remember to only use this phrase if you mean almost all, avoiding it if "all" is more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all

Indicates a quantity nearing the entirety, similar to "substantially all" but with a stronger implication of near-completion.

nearly all

Similar to "almost all", suggesting that only a small portion is excluded.

essentially all

Highlights that the remaining part is insignificant or doesn't alter the overall nature.

virtually all

Emphasizes that the excluded portion is negligible to the point of being inconsequential.

the majority of

Focuses on the greater part rather than the near-totality, suitable when precision isn't crucial.

most of

A simpler and more general alternative, indicating a large portion but without the nuance of near-completeness.

in large part

Suitable when the emphasis is on the considerable size of the included portion.

for the most part

Indicates that a statement is generally true, with possible exceptions.

to a great extent

Highlights the degree to which something is true or applicable.

largely

A single-word adverb conveying that something is mainly or mostly the case.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantially all" to indicate that something applies to almost the entirety of something, like "Substantially all of the revenue came from online sales".

What's a good alternative to "substantially all"?

Alternatives include "almost all", "nearly all", or "the majority of", depending on the context and desired level of precision.

Is there a legal or technical meaning of "substantially all"?

Yes, in legal and financial contexts, "substantially all" can have specific interpretations, often referring to a significant portion that triggers certain regulations or requirements. It's important to consult legal advice for precise definitions in such situations.

Is "substantially all" the same as "almost all"?

While similar, "substantially all" implies a slightly greater degree of completeness than "almost all". "Substantially all" suggests the exceptions are insignificant, while "almost all" simply indicates nearness to the total.