What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
significant
Example
The new discovery is significant for the field of medicine. [significant: adjective]
Example
The increase in sales was significant, indicating a successful marketing campaign. [significant: adjective]
Example
The company made a significant investment in research and development. [significant: adjective]
substantial
Example
The company reported a substantial increase in profits this quarter. [substantial: adjective]
Example
The new policy had a substantial impact on reducing carbon emissions. [substantial: adjective]
Example
The organization received a substantial donation from a generous benefactor. [substantial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Significant is more commonly used than substantial in everyday language. Significant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while substantial is more limited in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between significant and substantial?
Significant is typically associated with a more formal tone, while substantial is more commonly used in business or financial contexts and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
