very much substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much substantial" is not correct in standard written English.
It is generally used to emphasize the significance or importance of something, but the combination of "very much" with "substantial" is awkward. Example: "The evidence presented was very much substantial, leading to a strong conclusion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Your great-granddad wrote your gam-gam mud-flecked postcards from the Somme; your gran and granddad met in the queues for some rations; your parents slammed inexpertly behind the dustbins outside the Hacienda – syrupy courtship working its way up to what, admittedly, was two people probably getting bin juice on their junk; but at least it was all very much substantial and sincere.

Vice

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Behind Mr Letta is the very much more substantial figure of the head of state, Giorgio Napolitano.

BBC

Mr. Williams is wonderfully strong and substantial here; Mr. Damon, very much the supernova, is mercurial in ways that keep his character steadily surprising.

The New York Times

Prof. Mark V. Pauly, a health economist at the University of Pennsylvania, said, "Little tax credits don't help very much," But, he added, larger credits could have substantial effects.

The New York Times - Health

I enjoyed the first in the series very much, but would still say this second part is a substantial improvement.

The Guardian - Books

Still, he said, "there's a substantial worry that he won't do very much" beyond tax reform.

The New York Times

Indeed, providing a safe haven for my LGBT brothers and sisters seeking sound financial advice has turned into a substantial part of my livelihood, thank you very much.

Huffington Post

It also suggested that responses in Patient Global Impression of Change of minimally improved, much improved, and very much improved would also constitute minimally important, moderately important, and substantial improvements.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

For those in need of substantial PC storage, spinning hard drives are still very much a reality.

TechCrunch

Despite my dubiousness regarding whole cluster faddism, however, I do very much respect some of the Pinot Noirs being made with a substantial amount of whole cluster inclusion--i.e., more than 30%.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more conventional intensifiers like "quite", "highly", or "significantly" before "substantial" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, use "quite substantial" instead of "very much substantial".

Common error

Avoid using "very much" directly before "substantial" as it creates an awkward and non-idiomatic expression. Over-emphasizing can make your writing sound unnatural. Instead, focus on choosing a single, strong adjective or adverb that accurately conveys the degree of substantiality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much substantial" functions as an attempt to emphasize the degree or extent of something being substantial. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect in standard English, making it an ineffective construction for formal communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very much substantial" is an uncommon and grammatically awkward construction that seeks to emphasize the degree of substantiality. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's not considered correct in standard written English. While it appears infrequently across various sources like News & Media and Science, it's best to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "quite substantial", "highly substantial", or "considerably substantial" to ensure effective and natural communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite substantial

Replaces "very much" with "quite" for a smoother and more natural emphasis on the substantial nature.

highly substantial

Substitutes "very much" with "highly", intensifying the degree of substantiality in a grammatically sound way.

considerably substantial

Uses "considerably" instead of "very much" to indicate a notable degree of substantiality.

significantly substantial

Replaces "very much" with "significantly" to highlight the substantial impact or importance.

remarkably substantial

Emphasizes the surprising or noteworthy extent of the substantial nature, differing in nuance.

genuinely substantial

Highlights the authenticity and real nature of the substantial aspect, adding a layer of truthfulness.

truly substantial

Emphasizes the genuine and authentic nature of the substantial aspect, synonymous with 'genuinely substantial'.

appreciably substantial

Indicates that the substantial nature is noticeable or measurable to a meaningful extent.

noticeably substantial

Similar to 'appreciably substantial', it points out that the substantiality is easily observed or detected.

materially substantial

Focuses on the physical or tangible aspect of the substantiality, adding a concrete dimension.

FAQs

Is "very much substantial" grammatically correct?

No, "very much substantial" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. While both words are valid, they don't combine naturally. Alternatives like "quite substantial" or "highly substantial" are preferred.

What are some alternatives to "very much substantial"?

Better alternatives include "quite substantial", "highly substantial", "considerably substantial", or "significantly substantial". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I emphasize the significant size or impact of something?

Instead of "very much substantial", consider using phrases like "remarkably significant", "notably significant", or "considerably larger" depending on whether you're referring to size or impact. Ensure the adjective you choose accurately reflects the degree of emphasis.

Which is more appropriate: "very much substantial" or "somewhat substantial"?

"Somewhat substantial" is grammatically correct, but it indicates a moderate degree of substantiality. However, both phrases are rarely used because there are better alternatives. Using phrases like "quite substantial" or "noticeably substantial" would be better, depending on your intent.