1
Core quality
Large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
Example
The programme produced a substantial increase in attendance.
substantial
/səbˈstænʃəl/ · sub-STAN-shuladjective
Large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
Use substantial to express this relationship precisely: large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
What substantial Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Substantial evidence supports the revised date.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The archive makes a substantial contribution to the field.
Use substantial Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The programme produced a substantial increase in attendance.
Substantial evidence supports the revised date.
The archive makes a substantial contribution to the field.
Precision Matters
Substantial overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
substantial
vs.Means large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
prodigious
Means remarkably large or impressive.
substantial
vs.Means large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
immense
Means extremely large or great in size, extent, degree, or importance.
substantial
vs.Means large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
copious
Means abundant or plentiful in quantity.
substantial
vs.Means large or important in size, amount, extent, or significance.
inconsequential
Means too minor or unimportant to have a meaningful effect or consequence.
Test substantial in Context
The reduction is large enough to be important.
1
The treatment reduced energy use by a ___ 38 percent.