How to use "they are substantial"

What Does "they are substantial" Mean?

• What it expresses: degree, quantity, and significance.
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: the noun or pronoun 'they,' implying a quality of being significant or large in amount, size, or importance.
• Register: neutral to formal

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: While grammatically flexible, it usually appears after the subject 'they' and the verb 'are,' creating a mid-sentence placement. It's unusual to find it at the beginning or end of a sentence.
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It modifies the pronoun 'they,' indicating that the things or concepts referred to by 'they' are considerable in size, amount, or importance. It adds emphasis to the significance of the subject.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be used with qualifiers like 'enough' (e.g., 'they are substantial enough') to express a sufficient degree. Negation is possible (e.g., 'they are not substantial'). Questions are less common and would require rephrasing.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Fronting the phrase (e.g., 'Substantial they are') sounds very unnatural. Using it to modify verbs directly or placing it at the end of a sentence would typically be grammatically incorrect.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from they are substantial on Ludwig.guru.

"But they are substantial." — The New York Times - Health

"We pay out claims -- and they are substantial." — The New York Times

"But they are substantial enough to generate profit." — The New York Times

"The savings to taxpayers, and they are substantial, come later as caseloads decline." — The New York Times

"Although they are substantial, the new finds do not match the giant fields discovered in the 1970s, like Alaska's Prudhoe Bay, Ekofisk in the North Sea, or Cantarell in Mexico." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/they+are+substantial

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
they are significant	Highlights importance or consequence.
they are considerable	Emphasizes the size or amount is worthy of attention.
they are sizable	Focuses on the physical size or extent.
they are appreciable	Suggests a noticeable or measurable amount.
they are marked	Indicates a distinct or prominent quality.
they are noteworthy	Highlights that something is worthy of attention.
they are weighty	Implies importance and seriousness.

Common Mistakes

• Placing "they are substantial" at the beginning or end of a sentence sounds unnatural. It typically needs to be positioned after the subject and verb.
• Using "they are substantial" to modify a verb directly is grammatically incorrect; it should modify the noun or pronoun.
• Learners might confuse 'substantial' with other adjectives of quantity or importance, or misuse it in contexts where a more specific adjective is required. For example, using 'substantial' when 'significant' or 'large' would be more appropriate.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
they are substantial	Expresses a significant amount, size, or degree	Neutral to formal	Mid-sentence, after the subject 'they' and verb 'are'

FAQs

Where in a sentence does "they are substantial" usually appear?

"They are substantial" typically appears in the middle of a sentence, following the subject pronoun 'they' and the verb 'are.' This placement allows it to effectively modify the pronoun and convey the significance of what 'they' refers to. It is uncommon and often grammatically incorrect to place it at the beginning or end of a sentence.

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How does "they are substantial" differ from a closer alternative like "they are significant"?

Both phrases indicate importance, but "they are substantial" often implies a greater magnitude or quantity than "they are significant." While 'significant' highlights importance or consequence, 'substantial' emphasizes that something is considerable in size, amount, or impact. Therefore, 'substantial' suggests a more tangible or measurable quality than 'significant'.

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How can I avoid misusing "they are substantial"?

To avoid misuse, ensure that "they are substantial" accurately reflects the intended meaning of considerable size, amount, or importance. Avoid using it interchangeably with other adjectives of quantity or importance if they don't precisely convey the level of significance you intend. Consider whether a more specific adjective might be more suitable for the context, such as 'large,' 'significant,' or 'considerable,' depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.