Meaning & use
substantively
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Meanings
adverbnot comparableformal
In a way that deals with the real content of something, instead of its surface or form.
Grammar: Often before a verb or adjective: substantively different.
Patterns
- substantively different
- respond substantively
The two reports differ substantively on the main finding.
The minister did not respond substantively to the question.
They changed the rules, but not substantively.
adverbnot comparablelegal
In legal terms, concerning the rights and duties themselves rather than the procedure used to enforce them.
Grammar: Contrasts with procedurally.
Patterns
- substantively and procedurally
The appeal was rejected both procedurally and substantively.
The court examined the claim substantively.
adverbnot comparableformal
In a large or meaningful amount.
Grammar: Used in business and policy writing: contributed substantively.
Patterns
- contribute substantively
She contributed substantively to the final report.
Common combinations
- substantively different
- The new plan is substantively different from the old one.
- engage substantively
- We need to engage substantively with the criticism.
- respond substantively
- He failed to respond substantively to the charge.
- change substantively
- The text did not change substantively.
- substantively and procedurally
- The case failed substantively and procedurally.
Synonyms and how they differ
- materially
- Materially means in a way that matters, often used in law and finance.
- significantly
- Significantly is the common everyday term and points to size, not substance.
- essentially
- Essentially means at the core, with less focus on real content.
- in substance
- In substance is a phrase meaning in actual content, as opposed to appearance.
Opposites
Word family
- substantive adjective
- having real importance or meaning
- substance noun
- the real meaning or material of something
- substantial adjective
- large or important
- substantiate verb
- to prove with evidence
- substantiveness noun
- the quality of having substance
Commonly confused: substantively or substantially? substantively or substantive?
substantively vs substantially
Substantially means to a large extent, whereas substantively means regarding real content.
substantively vs substantive
Substantive is the adjective, and substantively is the adverb form.
Practice
The new draft looks different but says the same thing. Which is best?
Choose one answer.
If only appearance changed, superficially fits. Substantively would claim the meaning changed, and significantly would claim a large change.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “substantively”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.