substantive
gb/sˈʌbstəntɪv/ us/sˈʌbstəntɪv/
C1
English
~ 6500
érdemi, anyagi jogi, főnév, szubsztantívum
C1
FORMAL
1
érdemi
B2
Usage pattern:
substantive [noun]
The committee wants to see substantive changes, not just new slogans.
A bizottság érdemi változásokat akar látni, nem csak új szlogeneket.
We finally had a substantive discussion about how to reduce costs.
Végre érdemi megbeszélést folytattunk arról, hogyan lehetne csökkenteni a költségeket.
The report makes several substantive recommendations for improving safety.
Critics argue that the reforms are more symbolic than substantive.
The company has taken no substantive steps to address the complaints.
Learner examples
The boss asked for a substantive plan, not just ideas.
A főnök érdemi tervet kért, nem csak ötleteket.
They had a substantive talk about money problems.
Érdemi beszélgetést folytattak a pénzügyi problémákról.
The new law made substantive improvements to workers’ rights.
I want a substantive answer to my question.
Her proposal led to substantive progress on the project.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "substantive" with "substantial". "Substantive" usually highlights importance or real effect (a substantive change = a change that really matters), while "substantial" more often highlights size or amount (a substantial amount of money). In many contexts both are possible, but "substantive" tends to sound more formal and analytical.
Meaning
real, important, not just formal
Collocations
substantive change
|substantive discussion
|substantive issues
|substantive evidence
|substantive agreement
|substantive progress
Synonyms
significant (Very close in meaning; slightly broader and more common in both formal and informal contexts.)
|
meaningful (Stresses emotional or personal importance more; less formal than "substantive".)
|
real (More general and informal; does not carry the same formal, analytical tone.)
Antonyms
trivial (Describes something unimportant or minor, the opposite of having serious, real importance.)
Themes
politics
|business
|academic
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Real and important in practice, not just on paper or in name.
Having real, meaningful importance or effect, rather than being merely formal, theoretical, or superficial.
C2
TECHNICAL
2
anyagi jogi
C1
Usage pattern:
substantive [noun]
The court must decide whether the dispute raises a procedural issue or a substantive one.
A bíróságnak el kell döntenie, hogy a jogvita eljárásjogi vagy anyagi jogi kérdést vet-e fel.
Substantive law defines citizens’ rights, while procedural law governs how those rights are enforced.
Az anyagi jog határozza meg az állampolgárok jogait, míg az eljárásjog azt szabályozza, hogyan érvényesítik ezeket a jogokat.
The case centers on alleged violations of the employees’ substantive rights.
Critics say the bill offers only procedural changes and no substantive reform of the tax system.
The judge dismissed the claim because it lacked any substantive legal basis.
Learner examples
Substantive law says what people may or may not do.
Az anyagi jog mondja meg, hogy az emberek mit tehetnek és mit nem.
Procedural law is about the process, but substantive law is about rights.
Az eljárásjog a folyamatról szól, az anyagi jog pedig a jogokról.
The workers argued that their substantive rights were broken.
The new rules change the procedure but not the substantive law.
Law students must learn both procedural and substantive rules.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "substantive" here just means "big" or "important". In legal and policy writing, it usually contrasts with "procedural": substantive law or rights are about what the law actually gives or requires, while procedural law is about how cases move through the system.
Meaning
about legal rights or content
Collocations
substantive law
|substantive rights
|substantive due process
|substantive claim
|substantive rules
|substantive standards
Synonyms
material (In legal contexts, can mean affecting rights or outcomes; slightly broader and also used in everyday English with other meanings.)
|
essential (Stresses being a core or necessary part, but is not specific to law or policy.)
Antonyms
procedural (Describes rules about process and methods, the opposite of rules about the actual rights and duties themselves.)
Themes
law
|politics
|government
Definition
Describing laws or rules that say what people’s real rights and duties are, not just how the rules are used in court or in practice.
Relating to the actual rights, duties, or core content defined by a law, rule, or policy, as opposed to the procedures for enforcing it.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
főnév
A2
Usage pattern:
a substantive [verb]
In older grammar books, the term "substantive" is often used instead of "noun."
A régebbi nyelvtankönyvekben a „szubsztantívum” szót gyakran a „főnév” helyett használják.
The adjective becomes a substantive when it stands alone, as in "the rich."
A melléknév szubsztantívummá válik, amikor önállóan áll, mint például a „gazdagok” szóban.
In this sentence, the phrase "what she said" functions as a substantive.
The teacher explained how an infinitive can act as a substantive.
Some linguistic traditions distinguish sharply between the substantive and the adjective.
Learner examples
In some books, "substantive" is another word for "noun."
Néhány könyvben a „szubsztantívum” a „főnév” másik neve.
The word "dog" is a substantive in this sentence.
A „kutya” szó ebben a mondatban főnév.
In the phrase "the poor", the word "poor" is a substantive.
The clause "what he did" works as a substantive.
A substantive can be one word or many words together.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "substantive" with "subject" because both are grammar words starting with "sub-". A subject is the part of the sentence that does the action; a substantive is the word or phrase that names a person, place, thing, or idea (like a noun).
Meaning
word functioning as a noun
Collocations
a substantive and its modifiers
|adjective used as a substantive
|substantive and verb
|declension of the substantive
|substantive in the sentence
Synonyms
noun (The normal modern term; "substantive" is more technical and less common in everyday grammar teaching.)
Antonyms
verb (A basic contrasting word class in grammar, doing actions rather than naming things.)
Themes
language
|education
|linguistics
|communication
Definition
A term in grammar for a noun, or for a word or group of words that works like a noun in a sentence.
In grammar, a noun or any word or phrase that functions as a noun within a sentence.
Grammar
Dictionary form
substantive
IPA
GB/sˈʌbstəntɪv/
US/sˈʌbstəntɪv/
Syllables & stress
sub - stant - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sub)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: substantive
Noun
- Base: substantive
- Plural: substantives
Word family
Forms
substantives
noun
Core family
Related words
substantiate
verb C1
substantiation
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
insubstantial
adjective
unsubstantiated
adjective
Advanced or less common
substantively
adverb
Expressions
substantive change
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
change with real, important effect
A change that really matters in practice, not just in name or on paper.
Examples
- The policy led to substantive change in how the agency operates.
- Activists are calling for substantive change, not just promises.
substantive difference
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv dˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
formal
real, meaningful difference
A difference that really matters for what something means or what happens.
Examples
- There is no substantive difference between the two proposals.
- The changes are stylistic rather than substantive differences.
substantive discussion
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv dɪskˈʌʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
in-depth, meaningful discussion
A serious talk that goes into real detail and important points, not just small talk.
Examples
- The meeting finally allowed for substantive discussion of the proposal.
- There was little substantive discussion during the televised debate.
substantive evidence
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv ˈɛvədəns/
fixed phrase
formal
real and important evidence
Evidence that is strong and real enough to really matter for a decision.
Examples
- The investigation found no substantive evidence of fraud.
- Substantive evidence will be needed to support these serious claims.
substantive issue
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv ˈɪʃu/
fixed phrase
formal
real and important issue
A problem or question that really matters and affects the result, not a small or side problem.
Examples
- We still haven’t addressed the substantive issues raised by the report.
- The debate focused on image rather than on substantive issues.
substantive law
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
technical
law defining rights and duties
The part of the law that says what people’s real rights and duties are, not how courts work.
Examples
- The course covers both procedural and substantive law.
- Substantive law determines whether an action is legal or illegal.
substantive reform
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv ɹɪfˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
formal
real, major reform
A big and real change in a system, not just a small or cosmetic change.
Examples
- Many voters doubt that the bill will bring substantive reform.
- The organization is under pressure to undertake substantive reform of its governance structure.
substantive rights
1/sˈʌbstəntɪv ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
technical
actual legal rights
Legal rights that the law really gives people, such as the right to own property or to speak freely.
Examples
- The constitution protects several basic substantive rights.
- They argued that the new regulation violated their substantive rights.