substantially speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantially speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to introduce a summary of an argument or idea. For example, "Substantially speaking, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are the keys to staying healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Hintikka suggests that IFL is, substantially speaking, a first-order logic: the entities its quantified variables range over are individuals, and so are all entities with which the players of the semantic games operate.

SEP

But he's not substantially speaking to the conditions of that constituency.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With an eye on that demographic, FX's chief executive, John Landgraf said in a telephone interview that "The Bridge" was the first-ever American "premium television show that's substantially spoken in Spanish and has a specific thematic connection for the U.S. Hispanic audience".

The New York Times - Arts

Once you have learnt Thai substantially well, speak the language.

WikiHow

The first orthography was developed by Samuel Kleinschmidt in 1851, but within a hundred years already differed substantially from the spoken language because of a number of sound changes.

Wikipedia

Broadly speaking, enrollments increased substantially for school-age children and youths, while adult illiteracy rates decreased significantly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally, the study data were collected several years ago in 2006; while we anticipate that the relationships we examine are unlikely to be substantially different over time and speaking up about safety issues continues to be an important patient safety area in need of attention [ 55, 59], we hope that future studies will continue these lines of inquiry with newer data.

BMC Health Services Research

"The detail and data required have been substantially reduced," he said on Thursday, speaking on a panel titled "Global Destinations: The Best of British Higher Education," as part of the annual convention of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

The New York Times

In the 1970s, literary critic Harold Bloom came up with a theory he called the anxiety of influence, which, broadly speaking, argues that poets are substantially influenced by previous works, and thus anxious of seeming too derivative.

The Guardian - Opinion

Generally speaking though, unless you or your employer substantially changes your role, you won't need to get the changes in writing (in your contract, for example).

The Guardian

English GCSE exams are to be made substantially tougher under controversial changes that will no longer test teenagers' speaking and listening skills.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While grammatically correct, "substantially speaking" might not be appropriate for very informal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially speaking" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in relaxed settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "basically" or "essentially" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that the statement is a summary or general assessment. Ludwig AI highlights that its grammatical structure and usage are considered correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially speaking" is an adverbial phrase used to introduce a concise summary or general assessment of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional contexts rather than highly informal settings. Related phrases such as "essentially" or "in essence" can serve as alternatives, depending on the nuance you want to convey. Keep in mind that while accurate, the expression is rarely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in essence

Focuses on the core, fundamental nature of the topic.

fundamentally speaking

Emphasizes the basic or essential aspect.

essentially

Highlights the most important aspect or quality.

in general terms

Broadens the perspective to a more encompassing view.

broadly speaking

Presents a wide-ranging overview.

in summary

Indicates a concise recap of the main points.

to put it briefly

Signals a short and direct explanation.

in a nutshell

Condenses the topic into its smallest, most vital parts.

all things considered

Indicates a conclusion after careful deliberation.

taking everything into account

Suggests a comprehensive evaluation.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantially speaking" to introduce a summary or main point. For example, "Substantially speaking, the project was a success."

What are some alternatives to "substantially speaking"?

Alternatives include "in essence", "essentially", or "broadly speaking" depending on the specific context.

Is "substantially speaking" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "substantially speaking" leans toward the formal side. Choose a different expression in informal conversation.

What's the difference between "substantially speaking" and "generally speaking"?

"Substantially speaking" focuses on the core essence, while "generally speaking" offers a broader, more encompassing view. The choice depends on whether you are highlighting the key aspects or providing a general overview.