The collocation "substantial change" signifies a significant, considerable, or major alteration. It implies that the change is not superficial or minor but rather something of real consequence.
The meaning is compositional; the meaning of 'substantial' (considerable in size, amount, or importance) combines directly with the meaning of 'change' (an act or process through which something becomes different).
The register of "substantial change" is neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic writing, news reports, business communications, and general conversation, although it leans towards being more common in formal contexts.
"Substantial change" follows an adjective + noun pattern. The adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "change".
Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow often relate to the area or thing undergoing the change. For instance, "substantial change in policy", "substantial change to the system", or "substantial change regarding procedures".
The components cannot be separated. You wouldn't typically insert words between "substantial" and "change".
It sounds unnatural to use weak adjectives like "small change" or to use an adverb instead of an adjective (e.g., "substantially change" is grammatically correct but has a different meaning, as it modifies a verb instead of a noun).
These examples are sourced from substantial change on Ludwig.guru.
"Did they engineer substantial change?" — The Guardian - Sport
"The proposals were similar and resulted in substantial change." — The New York Times - Sports
"They agree that the health care system requires substantial change." — The New York Times
"This will be the most substantial change since the 1940s"." — The Guardian
"For more substantial change, Cuba insists on an end to the US embargo." — The Guardian
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/substantial+change
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| significant change | Very similar in meaning and register, slightly more common. |
| major shift | Implies a change in direction or focus; often used in business or politics. |
| considerable alteration | More formal and emphasizes the act of modifying something. |
| radical transformation | Suggests a fundamental and dramatic change. |
| sweeping reform | Used specifically in the context of improvements or corrections, often in government or institutions. |
| marked difference | Highlights a noticeable and distinct change between two states. |
| profound impact | Focuses on the effect or consequence of the change, rather than the change itself. |
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| substantial change | A significant or considerable alteration. | Adjective + Noun | Neutral to Formal |
No, the words in "substantial change" should not be separated. It's a fixed collocation where the adjective "substantial" directly modifies the noun "change". Inserting words between them would sound unnatural and disrupt the intended meaning.
"Substantial change" and "significant change" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "significant change" might be perceived as slightly more common and broadly applicable, while "substantial change" can sometimes imply a larger scale or impact.
To avoid misusing "substantial change", ensure you're using the adjective "substantial" to modify the noun "change," not an adverb like "substantially." Also, be mindful of the prepositions that follow, such as "in" or "to," depending on the context. Finally, be aware that while synonyms for 'substantial' exist, not all of them collocate as naturally with 'change'.
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