substantive
real, important, not just formal
Real and important in practice, not just on paper or in name.
substantive [noun]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
substantive [noun]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
a substantive [verb]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: substantive
- Base: substantive
- Plural: substantives
substantive change
1change with real, important effect
A change that really matters in practice, not just in name or on paper.
- The policy led to substantive change in how the agency operates.
- Activists are calling for substantive change, not just promises.
substantive difference
1real, meaningful difference
A difference that really matters for what something means or what happens.
- There is no substantive difference between the two proposals.
- The changes are stylistic rather than substantive differences.
substantive discussion
1in-depth, meaningful discussion
A serious talk that goes into real detail and important points, not just small talk.
- The meeting finally allowed for substantive discussion of the proposal.
- There was little substantive discussion during the televised debate.
substantive evidence
1real and important evidence
Evidence that is strong and real enough to really matter for a decision.
- The investigation found no substantive evidence of fraud.
- Substantive evidence will be needed to support these serious claims.
substantive issue
1real and important issue
A problem or question that really matters and affects the result, not a small or side problem.
- We still haven’t addressed the substantive issues raised by the report.
- The debate focused on image rather than on substantive issues.
substantive law
1law defining rights and duties
The part of the law that says what people’s real rights and duties are, not how courts work.
- The course covers both procedural and substantive law.
- Substantive law determines whether an action is legal or illegal.
substantive reform
1real, major reform
A big and real change in a system, not just a small or cosmetic change.
- 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
1actual legal rights
Legal rights that the law really gives people, such as the right to own property or to speak freely.
- The constitution protects several basic substantive rights.
- They argued that the new regulation violated their substantive rights.