a significant number vs a substantial number

Both 'a significant number' and 'a substantial number' are correct phrases in English. They are interchangeable and can be used to indicate a large or important number of something.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1534 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a large or important number of something.

"a significant number"

This phrase is used to emphasize the importance or size of a number. It is often used in formal or academic contexts.

Examples:

A significant number of people attended the event.
There was a significant number of errors in the report.
The study found a significant number of participants experienced side effects.
A significant number of students failed the exam.
The company received a significant number of complaints.

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And I suspect a significant number of clients will follow me.
Physical checks were carried out on a significant number of low value declarations in contradiction with the legislation.
It cannot thus achieve its objective of preventing a significant number of infringements of Community law on public procurement.
As a consequence, a significant number of employees could lose their jobs.
In 2002, the EU again experienced a significant number of terrorist attacks.
Today there are a significant number of countries that are embarking on the democratic process.
Activities are intended to involve a significant number of Member States.
We will also encourage the participation of a significant number of Member States in this process.
Also, a significant number of disabled people are simply unemployed.
On those markets, a significant number of market participants are also producers of the underlying commodity.
Many are heavily loss-making and have lost a significant number of employees.
On 25 June 2003 the Council adopted its common position, which amends the substance or form of the Commission proposal in a significant number of ways.
For a significant number of vessels that were known to have been exported, the Commission does not know the identity of the importing state.
The transposition deadline for the package, 24 July 2003, has not been met by a significant number of Member States.
The subcontractors and suppliers of the yards have lost a significant number of jobs.
In certain cases with a significant number of variables, the appropriations carried over were calculated with some degree of approximation.
The geographic location of Malta results in a significant number of migratory birds passing through its territories in the spring of each year.
Under the Lisbon Treaty, one million citizens from a significant number of EU Union Member States will be able to invite the Commission to initiate a legislative act.
In the last 10 years, a significant number of companies in the region have had to close.
In addition, a significant number of studies and an overview of the available academic research have been produced with the Commission's financial support.

Alternatives:

a substantial number
a large number
a considerable number
a notable number
a considerable amount

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a large or important number of something.

"a substantial number"

This phrase is used to emphasize the importance or size of a number. It is often used in formal or academic contexts.

Examples:

A substantial number of voters turned out for the election.
The company received a substantial number of applications for the job.
There was a substantial number of volunteers at the event.
The study revealed a substantial number of errors in the data.
A substantial number of people disagreed with the decision.

Show examples from the web [+]

Subsequently, CISAC and a substantial number of collecting societies offered the commitments which are the subject to the present notice.
Against this background, I would like to put a question to it on the subject of Météo France's plan to close a substantial number of departmental centres.
Aspartame is used as a sweetener in a substantial number of different foodstuffs.
The stock market price, therefore, does not result from the interaction of a substantial number of significant investors.
As an example the Commission suggests to focus on the milk sector, ignoring a substantial number of highly processed food products which compose most of the households' consumption.
In addition, a substantial number of Member States are expected to make use of Article 2 of Directive 2004/22/EC and will opt-out of the harmonisation.
Consequently, a substantial number of European citizens may be expected to start travelling more frequently.
I am glad to be able to tell you that the Commission will support a substantial number of the amendments proposed in the report.
In such an environment, companies with a substantial number of cross-border payments therefore have to maintain bank accounts in many of the countries in which they do business.
People are amazed to hear from official Commission sources that it has been decided to cut a substantial number of translator posts, in particular for Italian and Spanish translators.
Yesterday, as we all know, a substantial number of Member States voiced their opposition to certain aspects of the Commission's proposals for reforming the CFP during the Fisheries Council.
Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 contains a substantial number of transitional provisions with regard to own funds and own funds requirements.
The establishment of the consistency and concordance of a substantial number of clinical observations may, if appropriate, take the place of the analyses referred to in point 1.4.1.
Recently, a substantial number of databases, including the Schengen databases and the Eurojust and Europol databases, have been set up.
However, a substantial number of amendments are not reflected in the Common Position, because the Council considered that either
The Commission has already expressed its reservations on some political points of this procedure, particularly since the common position agreed in the first reading goes well beyond the provisions of the Biosafety Protocol on a substantial number of issues.
We know that Europe is one of the most prosperous continents in the world but, despite that, a substantial number of our citizens live in conditions of extreme poverty and social marginalisation.
Mr President, in the wake of recent cases involving the suspension and revocation of the licences of many airlines, a substantial number of passengers and holders of tickets that were neither honoured nor reimbursed have suffered considerable losses.
The Participants to the Arrangement have agreed upon a substantial number of amendments to it as compared with the version of the Arrangement contained in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1233/2011.
If, as I said, the fighting comes to an end at some point and a substantial number of refugees can return, then political negotiations could begin between the conflicting parties on the future status of Kosovo.

Alternatives:

a significant number
a large number
a considerable number
a notable number
a considerable amount

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a significant number vs a substantial number