to a considerable extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to a considerable extent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the degree of an extent, such as when describing an observed phenomenon. For example: "The rise in temperatures has been attributed to global warming to a considerable extent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Jackson agreed to a considerable extent.

The New York Times - Sports

That's on you guys to a considerable extent.

The Guardian

To a considerable extent, skepticism is born of such reflection.

Britannica

To a considerable extent, he has kept his first promise.

The Economist

Indiana Jones is, to a considerable extent, the reason I became a historian.

The Guardian - Film

"She has focused her attention to a considerable extent on the administration of the courts".

The New York Times

Not so Mr. Obama or, to a considerable extent, Mr. McCain.

The New York Times

All the women are complicit and self-deceiving to a considerable extent.

The New York Times - Arts

To a considerable extent they all approach the music of the subcontinent as self-conscious outsiders.

The New York Times - Arts

That is why the debate about burden-sharing is to a considerable extent a non-debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prosecution's sentencing memorandum states that Mr. Hanssen has cooperated to a considerable extent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to a considerable extent" to add nuance to your writing, indicating that something is partially, but not entirely, true or responsible. This helps avoid overstatements and provides a more balanced perspective.

Common error

While "to a considerable extent" is a useful phrase, avoid using it too frequently in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "largely", "significantly", or "substantially" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a considerable extent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the degree or scope to which something is true or applicable. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to a considerable extent" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is true or influential to a significant, but not absolute, degree. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage and frequent appearance across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. Alternatives such as "to a large degree" or "significantly" can be used to add variety. When writing, use "to a considerable extent" to provide nuance and avoid overstatements, but be mindful of overuse. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for professional and academic writing, offering a balanced perspective by acknowledging the partial nature of a claim or influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a large degree

Replaces "extent" with "degree", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

to a great extent

Substitutes "considerable" with "great", emphasizing the magnitude of the extent.

to a significant degree

Replaces "considerable" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the extent.

substantially

Offers a more concise adverbial alternative, indicating a large degree or amount.

significantly

Similar to 'substantially', this adverb highlights the importance and impact of the extent.

to a marked extent

Uses "marked" instead of "considerable" to indicate that the extent is easily noticeable.

to a noticeable degree

Emphasizes that the extent is easily observed or detected.

appreciably

Indicates that the extent is large enough to be important or significant.

to a tangible extent

Highlights that the extent is concrete and can be clearly perceived or measured.

to a material degree

Implies that the extent has a real and practical effect or consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "to a considerable extent" in a sentence?

You can use "to a considerable extent" to indicate the degree to which something is true or influential. For example, "The project's success was, "to a considerable extent", due to the team's dedication."

What are some alternatives to "to a considerable extent"?

Alternatives include "to a large degree", "significantly", or "substantially". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "to a considerable extent" or "to a large extent"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between "to a considerable extent" and "to a large extent" often comes down to stylistic preference. "Considerable" may subtly emphasize the impact, while "large" focuses on the amount or size.

What does "to a considerable extent" imply about causality?

"To a considerable extent" suggests that a factor has a significant, but not exclusive, influence. It acknowledges that other factors may also be at play. For example, saying "The company's decline was, "to a considerable extent", caused by poor management" indicates that other elements also contributed.