B2 adjective Formal

substantial

/səbˈstæn.ʃəl/

Of considerable importance, size, or worth. In academic contexts, it is used to describe large or significant changes in data.

Examples

3 of 5
1

There has been a substantial increase in prices this year.

There has been a very large and important rise in costs lately.

2

A substantial number of people disagreed with the decision.

A very large group of individuals did not like the choice that was made.

3

The house requires substantial repairs before it can be sold.

The home needs a lot of big and expensive work before someone can buy it.

Word Family

Noun
substance
Verb
substantiate
Adverb
substantially
Adjective
substantial
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Memory Tip

If something has 'substance', it is 'substantial' (solid and large).

Quick Quiz

The charity raised a _______ sum of money for the local hospital.

Correct!

The correct answer is: substantial

Examples

1

There has been a substantial increase in prices this year.

business

There has been a very large and important rise in costs lately.

2

A substantial number of people disagreed with the decision.

formal

A very large group of individuals did not like the choice that was made.

3

The house requires substantial repairs before it can be sold.

everyday

The home needs a lot of big and expensive work before someone can buy it.

4

They received a substantial amount of money from the grant.

academic

They were given a lot of money from the government fund.

5

He ate a substantial breakfast before the hike.

informal

He ate a very big and filling meal before walking in the woods.

Word Family

Noun
substance
Verb
substantiate
Adverb
substantially
Adjective
substantial

Common Collocations

substantial amount large quantity
substantial increase large rise
substantial progress lots of improvement
substantial evidence lots of strong proof
substantial change important and big change

Common Phrases

a substantial portion

a big part of something

substantial difference

a large gap between two things

substantially more

a much larger amount

Often Confused With

substantial vs sustainable

Substantial means large or important; sustainable means something that can be maintained at a certain level for a long time.

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Usage Notes

Very useful for IELTS Academic Task 1 when describing trends in graphs and charts.

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Common Mistakes

Spelling error: 'substancial' (ending in -cial) is incorrect. It must end in -tial.

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Memory Tip

If something has 'substance', it is 'substantial' (solid and large).

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Word Origin

From Latin 'substantia', meaning 'substance' or 'essence'.

Grammar Patterns

substantial increase in substantial amount of substantial number of

Quick Quiz

The charity raised a _______ sum of money for the local hospital.

Correct!

The correct answer is: substantial

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