that was substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was substantial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significant, considerable, or meaningful in context. Example: "The feedback we received from the client was that was substantial, helping us improve our project significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There was little pure brilliance, little that was substantial or elaborate but just smarts, strength and skill at the key moments.

The Guardian - Sport

Federal prosecutors said SAC's misconduct "resulted in insider trading that was substantial, pervasive and on a scale without known precedent in the hedge fund industry".

The New York Times

One possibility is that he hasn't done anything wrong, and didn't know anything about the insider dealing that was "substantial, pervasive and on a scale without known precedent in the hedge fund industry".

The New Yorker

Unprecedented protest in the US was a manifestation of the opposition to aggression that began decades earlier in the condemnation of the US wars in Indochina, reaching a scale that was substantial and influential, even if far too late.

The Guardian

SAC Capital was fined $1.8bn last year after prosecutors accused the company of fostering a culture of insider trading "that was substantial, pervasive, and on a scale without known precedent".

The Guardian - Business

"Charles Taylor never set foot in Sierra Leone, and aided and abetted, and was convicted of aiding and abetting, the Revolutionary United Front with assistance that was substantial and, the judges said, without which the RUF could not have committed the atrocities to the extent they did commit them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

However, this opportunity presents challenges that are substantial and complex.

Polymer

But the overhang there is an overhang of personal debt on working people that is substantial.

The New York Times

"Asian actors tend not to be sent Hollywood scripts that are substantial or challenging.

The Guardian - Film

We here report a series that is substantial in numbers and in follow-up.

Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research

The goal is to get users to post comments that are substantial without being mean-spirited.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was substantial" to emphasize the significance or impact of a specific event, amount, or quality. It's effective when you want to highlight something beyond the ordinary.

Common error

Avoid using "that was substantial" in extremely casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was substantial" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying an implied or stated noun to indicate a significant degree, amount, or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was substantial" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that effectively conveys the significance or magnitude of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the provided examples from varied sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian illustrate its application in describing events, amounts, or impacts that are far from negligible. While "that was substantial" may not fit in extremely informal contexts, its clarity and neutral tone make it a solid option for news, business and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was considerable

Replaces "substantial" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the significant amount or degree.

that was significant

Indicates that something is important or noteworthy.

that was appreciable

Highlights that something is easily perceived or noticed, implying it's substantial.

that was meaningful

Suggests the impact or effect had significance or importance.

that was sizable

Emphasizes the large size or extent of something.

that was marked

Indicates that something was clearly noticeable or distinct.

that was material

Highlights something is relevant or important to the matter at hand.

that was noteworthy

Suggests that something is worth paying attention to or remembering.

that was weighty

Emphasizes the seriousness or importance of something.

that was major

Indicates that something is of great importance or seriousness.

FAQs

What does "that was substantial" mean?

The phrase "that was substantial" means something was significant, considerable, or had a noticeable impact. It emphasizes the magnitude or importance of something.

How can I use "that was substantial" in a sentence?

You can use "that was substantial" to describe a bonus, an amount of damage, or any other thing when you want to highlight its significance. For example: "Despite a bonus "that was substantial" by most standards, she was living a lie."

What can I say instead of "that was substantial"?

You can use alternatives like "that was considerable", "that was significant", or "that was appreciable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "that was substantial" or "that was significant"?

Both "that was substantial" and "that was significant" are correct. "Substantial" often implies a tangible amount or degree, while "significant" emphasizes importance or consequence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.