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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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they're substantial

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Even if its results are talking points, they're substantial ones.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But what I can say is that when you have a portfolio of patents, and they're substantial and directly built on what someone else is doing, and it's core to the essence of what that company is, it's very different from the dynamic of having one to two patents that are perhaps of suspect validity".

News & Media

TechCrunch

"They're substantial brick homes on concrete slabs on the bayou.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Luxury goods like this have a heft and beauty that's difficult to articulate — they're substantial-feeling, the fixtures are heavy, the clasps feel precision-engineered — but the price tags tucked in their nether-regions accomplish what words cannot.

News & Media

The New York Times

But they are substantial".

"They are substantial".

News & Media

The New York Times

Precisely because they were substantial and significant.

They are substantial physical losses; but they are not me".

We pay out claims -- and they are substantial".

News & Media

The New York Times

But they are substantial enough to generate profit.

News & Media

The New York Times

There were also unreleased songs in the set, and they were substantial and tinged with optimism.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal academic papers, favor the uncontracted version "they are substantial" for higher professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "their substantial" when you mean "they're substantial". Remember that "their" is a possessive pronoun requiring a following noun, while "they're" is the subject and verb needed to describe something with an adjective.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they're substantial" serves as a predicative adjective construction. It combines the plural subject pronoun "they" with the contracted linking verb "are" and the adjective "substantial". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it functions to attribute a quality of significant size or weight to the subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "they're substantial" is a robust and grammatically correct way to describe plural subjects that carry weight, either literally or figuratively. While Ludwig AI shows it is less common than its uncontracted counterpart in purely formal literature, it remains a staple of journalistic writing and technical descriptions. The phrase effectively conveys significance and scale without excessive wordiness. Writers should be mindful of the target audience; use the contraction for a natural, modern voice in news and blogs, but consider expanding it to "they are substantial" for academic or highly formal business documentation.

FAQs

How do I use "they're substantial" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe plural objects or ideas, such as in the sentence, "The changes were not minor; "they are significant" and "they're substantial" in their impact."

Is "they're substantial" too informal for business?

While correct, the contraction might feel slightly casual. For high-stakes reports, use the full form ""they are substantial"" instead.

What is a more descriptive synonym for "they're substantial"?

Depending on the context, you might prefer "they're sizeable" for physical items or "considerable" for abstract amounts.

Can I use "they're substantial" to describe people?

It is grammatically possible but usually refers to their physical build or influence. In a professional setting, "they are noteworthy" might be more appropriate for describing status.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: