Αγγλικά

substantive

gb/sˈʌbstəntɪv/ us/sˈʌbstəntɪv/
C1 Αγγλικά
~ 6500
Σημασίες
0 σημασίες
adjective formal C1 property
1

real, important, not just formal

Real and important in practice, not just on paper or in name.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: substantive [noun]
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Συνώνυμα
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.)
Αντώνυμα
trivial (Describes something unimportant or minor, the opposite of having serious, real importance.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
substantive change |substantive discussion |substantive issues |substantive evidence |substantive agreement |substantive progress
Θέματα
politics |business |academic |law |core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
  • The committee wants to see substantive changes, not just new slogans.
  • We finally had a substantive discussion about how to reduce costs.
  • 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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
  • The boss asked for a substantive plan, not just ideas.
  • They had a substantive talk about money problems.
  • 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.
adjective technical C2 property
2

about legal rights or content

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.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: substantive [noun]
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Συνώνυμα
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.)
Αντώνυμα
procedural (Describes rules about process and methods, the opposite of rules about the actual rights and duties themselves.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
substantive law |substantive rights |substantive due process |substantive claim |substantive rules |substantive standards
Θέματα
law |politics |government
Παραδείγματα
  • The court must decide whether the dispute raises a procedural issue or a substantive one.
  • Substantive law defines citizens’ rights, while procedural law governs how those rights are enforced.
  • 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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
  • Substantive law says what people may or may not do.
  • Procedural law is about the process, but substantive law is about rights.
  • 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.
Ουσιαστικό technical C2 entity
3

word functioning as a noun

A term in grammar for a noun, or for a word or group of words that works like a noun in a sentence.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: a substantive [verb]
Συχνό λάθος:
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).
Συνώνυμα
noun (The normal modern term; "substantive" is more technical and less common in everyday grammar teaching.)
Αντώνυμα
verb (A basic contrasting word class in grammar, doing actions rather than naming things.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
a substantive and its modifiers |adjective used as a substantive |substantive and verb |declension of the substantive |substantive in the sentence
Θέματα
language |education |linguistics |communication
Παραδείγματα
  • In older grammar books, the term "substantive" is often used instead of "noun."
  • The adjective becomes a substantive when it stands alone, as in "the rich."
  • 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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
  • In some books, "substantive" is another word for "noun."
  • The word "dog" is a substantive in this sentence.
  • 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.
Γραμματική
Λημματική μορφή
substantive
IPA
GB/sˈʌbstəntɪv/
US/sˈʌbstəntɪv/
Συλλαβές και τόνος
sub - stant - ive (3 συλλαβές)
Stress on 1st syllable (sub)
Τύποι λέξης
Adjective
  • Base: substantive
Noun
  • Base: substantive
  • Plural: substantives
Οικογένεια λέξεων
Forms
substantives noun
Core family
substance noun B1 substantial adjective B1 substantially adverb B2
Related words
substantiate verb C1 substantiation noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
insubstantial adjective unsubstantiated adjective
Advanced or less common
substantively adverb
Εκφράσεις

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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • The constitution protects several basic substantive rights.
  • They argued that the new regulation violated their substantive rights.

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