substantially bigger than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially bigger than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the size of two or more objects, indicating a significant difference in size. Example: "The new building is substantially bigger than the old one, providing more space for the growing team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

There is a large photograph (substantially bigger than the photograph in The Boston Globe, which is already quite substantial) and a caption.

The New York Times

When the rangers arrived by helicopter at the poachers' camp, it proved substantially bigger than anticipated.

The New Yorker

In 1847, some 56,000 people had attended its opening, a figure substantially bigger than the town's then population.

The Guardian - Books

The Afghan army is growing, but it will need to be substantially bigger than the planned 80,000.

The Economist

A number of economists (myself included) called for a stimulus substantially bigger than the one the administration ended up proposing.

The New York Times

"There is increasing demand for EU action in the world – a demand that is substantially bigger than the supply for the moment," they wrote.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He was substantially bigger then than he was in later years, and he occasionally left the office on his bicycle, calling himself "the fat guy on the bike".

The New Yorker

For one thing, Poland has substantially bigger government than the US; in 2007, that is, pre-crisis, the Polish government spent 42 percent of GDP, compared with 37 in the United States.

The New York Times

These joint ventures sometimes included co-funding by wealthy community members, enabling the seed money to contribute to substantially bigger projects than it might have done otherwise.

Unicef

Across most of Europe, Google is by far the biggest search engine, with a substantially bigger market share than in the United States.

The New York Times

But that might require the government to be substantially bigger — and taxes substantially higher — than we have tolerated in the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially bigger than", ensure that the comparison is clear and the context provides a basis for understanding the relative size difference. For example, avoid saying 'This is substantially bigger than that' without clarifying what 'that' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially bigger than" when the size difference is marginal or insignificant. This can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your statement. Instead, consider phrases like "slightly bigger than" or "marginally larger than".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially bigger than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe a noun by indicating that it is significantly larger in size compared to another noun. Ludwig AI shows this comparative function is often used to highlight differences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially bigger than" is a comparative adjective phrase used to emphasize a significant difference in size. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure the comparison is clear and that the size difference is indeed significant, to avoid misleading the reader. Alternatives include "considerably larger than" or "significantly greater than", but choosing the right alternative depends on the context. It is also important to avoid redundancy by not using "much" before the phrase. All things considered, this is a useful and correct phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably larger than

Emphasizes the extent of the size difference.

significantly greater than

Highlights the importance or impact of the difference in size.

noticeably bigger than

Implies that the size difference is easily observed.

markedly larger than

Stresses that the difference is clearly defined and not marginal.

appreciably greater than

Focuses on the degree to which one is larger.

distinctly bigger than

Underscores the clarity and unambiguity of the size disparity.

measurably larger than

Suggests the size can be quantified to show the difference.

appreciably bigger than

Focuses on the degree to which one is larger.

sizably bigger than

Indicates that the object is fairly large compared to the standard.

vastly bigger than

This phrase underlines a major difference in size.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially bigger than" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially bigger than" to compare the size of two or more objects, emphasizing a significant difference in their dimensions. For example: "The new model is "substantially bigger than" its predecessor, offering more internal space."

What are some alternatives to "substantially bigger than"?

Alternatives include "considerably larger than", "significantly greater than", or "noticeably bigger than". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "much substantially bigger than"?

Yes, using "much" with "substantially" is generally redundant because "substantially" already implies a significant degree. It's better to use just ""substantially bigger than"" for clarity and conciseness.

What is the difference between "substantially bigger than" and "slightly bigger than"?

"Substantially bigger than" implies a considerable difference in size, whereas "slightly bigger than" indicates a minor difference. The choice between them depends on the actual size disparity you are describing.