substantially over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has exceeded a certain amount or limit by a significant degree. Example: "The project's budget was substantially over the initial estimate, leading to a review of expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His benefits package has grown substantially over the years.

The New York Times

Turnout has dropped substantially over the past decade.

The Guardian

Oil prices have risen substantially over the last few weeks.

The New York Times

The first Direct Action auction paid $14 a tonne, but costs increase substantially over time.

The Guardian

"The immigration debate will change substantially over the next 18-24 months," he said.

The Guardian

As a result, a lot of these houses are going for substantially over the asking prices".

The New York Times

GDL numbers, meanwhile, have dropped substantially over the last few years.

The Guardian

Female participation in fantasy sports has increased substantially over the past decade.

The New York Times - Sports

He said the business had "grown substantially over the last five years".

The New York Times

Spoken Tamil has changed substantially over time, including changes in the phonological structure of words.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nevertheless, it is unlikely that we substantially over- or underrepresented infection prevalence in the general population.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially over", ensure that the context clearly establishes the reference point being exceeded. For example, "The cost was substantially over budget."

Common error

Avoid using "substantially over" when the exceedance is only marginal. This phrase implies a significant, not trivial, difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially over" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate the extent to which something exceeds a specific limit or expectation. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially over" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates something has exceeded a certain limit by a significant amount. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the degree of exceedance is truly substantial and not just marginal. Alternatives like "significantly above" or "considerably exceeding" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid overstating the exceedance if it's only a minor difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially in excess of

A more formal version of the original phrase.

significantly above

Emphasizes that the amount or limit is exceeded to a notable degree.

significantly more than

Focuses on the quantity by which something is exceeded.

considerably exceeding

Highlights the act of surpassing a limit by a considerable amount.

well in excess of

Indicates a clear and comfortable margin above a specific threshold.

considerably greater than

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference.

markedly higher than

Stresses a noticeable difference in value or quantity.

far exceeding

Implies a large degree of difference.

appreciably beyond

Implies that the difference is easily perceived or measurable.

noticeably surpassing

Highlights the visibility or recognizability of the exceeding.

FAQs

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

Use "substantially over" to indicate that something exceeds a certain amount by a significant degree. For example: "The final cost was "substantially over" the estimated budget."

What are some alternatives to "substantially over"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly above", "considerably exceeding", or "well in excess of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "substantially over" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially over" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of exceedance. Alternatives like "significantly in excess of" might be preferable in certain contexts.

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

"Substantially over" indicates a considerable difference, while "slightly over" indicates a minimal difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the exceedance.