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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

Substance over spin
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Clegg is also far ahead as the leader who offers substance over spin.

News & Media

The Guardian

Gordon Brown has since made it his selling point that he would champion substance over spin, but the election false alarm arguably showed that was more of an aspiration than a programme.

News & Media

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Liberal Democrats hoping to gain from Corbyn's victory would do well to take a proper look at recent history, and to realise that the return of substance-over-spin politics in Labour makes it easier to articulate our position and allows the possibility of us building a progressive alliance in future.

News & Media

Independent

SUBSTANCE OVER FORM is the mantra of the museum.

News & Media

The New York Times

You might over spin initially, but that's all right.

Wiki

WikiHow

It's about substance, not spin.

News & Media

The New York Times

New York City welfare officials are quick to say that substance, not spin, won Maximus its three-year contracts, worth $103 million.

News & Media

The New York Times

For substance over stagecraft.

News & Media

The New York Times

The Constitution looks at substance over form.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It has to be substance over style".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's substance over style," Jefferson said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When using "substance over spin", ensure that you can provide concrete examples of the 'substance' you are referring to. Avoid using the phrase as a general statement without backing it up with specifics.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "substance over spin" in situations where there is no clear element of manipulation or deceptive presentation. The phrase loses its impact when applied generically to any situation where something is valued.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substance over spin" functions as a comparative expression that prioritizes the inherent value and factual content of something over its superficial presentation or marketing. This expression is used to advocate for transparency, honesty, and genuine merit.

Expression frequency: Rare

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

⚠ Less common in

Science

Academia

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substance over spin" is a comparative phrase that advocates for valuing genuine content and facts over misleading presentation. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in neutral contexts, particularly within news and media. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates the importance of authenticity. Related phrases like "authenticity over hype" and "integrity over image" offer similar nuanced alternatives. Remember to use the phrase thoughtfully, ensuring you provide concrete examples to support your claim. Although the phrase is grammatically correct and easily conveys the information it is important to use it scarcely since it could not be useful in every context.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valuing integrity over image

Places greater importance on moral principles than on public perception.

choosing authenticity over hype

Suggests a conscious decision to favor genuine qualities over exaggerated promotion.

favoring honesty over deception

Highlights the importance of being truthful rather than misleading.

focusing on truth over manipulation

Indicates a preference for honest communication rather than deceptive tactics.

valuing principles over appearances

Emphasizes the importance of ethics and values compared to outward presentation.

emphasizing reality over facade

Highlights the value of truth and genuine representation instead of a deceptive appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "substance over spin" in a sentence?

You can use "substance over spin" to emphasize the importance of factual content and genuine merit compared to superficial presentation. For example, "The campaign focused on "substance over spin", detailing policy changes rather than relying on emotional appeals".

What does it mean to value "substance over spin"?

Valuing "substance over spin" means prioritizing factual accuracy, demonstrable results, and genuine content, rather than being swayed by persuasive language, marketing tactics, or misleading information.

What are some alternatives to saying "substance over spin"?

Alternatives include "authenticity over hype", "integrity over image", or "reality over facade", each conveying a similar preference for genuine quality over superficial appearance.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "substance over spin"?

This phrase is appropriate when discussing politics, marketing, product development, or any situation where there is a risk of prioritizing superficial appeal or deception over genuine value and quality. It's suitable whenever the core argument is about preferring true value versus misleading or shallow presentation.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

95%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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Substance over spinGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

Substance over spin
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples