substantive Definition
sub·stan·tive (sub′stən tiv, səb stan′tiv)
adjective
- existing independently; not dependent upon or subordinate to another
- of considerable amount or quantity; substantial
- having a real existence; actual
- of, containing, or dealing with the essential elements; essential
- having direct bearing on a matter
- of or relating to legal rights and principles as distinguished from legal procedures
- becoming fixed without the use of a mordant: said of a dye
- Gram.
- expressing existence the substantive verb “to be”
- of or used as a substantive
Etymology: LME < LL substantivus < L substantia: see substance
noun
- something substantive
- Gram. a noun or any other word or group of words that functions as a noun; nominal
substantive Related Forms
sub′·stan·ti′·val (-tī′vəl) adjective
sub′·stan·ti′·vally adverb or sub′·stan·tively
sub′·stan·tive·ness noun
substantive Synonyms
substantive Usage Examples
Adjective complement with noun phrase
have: Do you have anything substantive to say ( apart from confirming my arguments ), or is this it?
Modifies a noun
- revision: Principal Investigator to discuss outcome with Center Lead and agree plan to complete substantive revision of the project ( with support as agreed ).
- motion: Friend the Foreign Secretary, about having a debate on foreign policy on a substantive motion.
- reply: A substantive reply to the complaint will be provided in due course.
- jurisdiction: The Adjudicator may rule on his own substantive jurisdiction, and as to the scope of the Adjudication.
- hearing: The costs in respect of the original substantive hearing had still not been paid.
- determination: The substantive determination, which is the final judgment, always remains with the commissioners.
Modifying Another Word
- very: The talks were detailed, constructive, and very substantive.
- not: Brief extracts from a story are permitted provided they are not substantive.
- only: In a series of amendments to the only substantive item of business this week, ahead of the o. .
- little: As has been noted above there is little substantive evidence, only anecdotes about the odd individual case.
- also: This was particularly true of complex cases where there were also substantive issues in dispute between householders or where legal proceedings were envisaged.
- preferably: These links are included because these sites have unique, relevant and preferably substantive content relating to ethnicity and/or conflict in the country concerned.
Infinitive complement
say: Do you have anything substantive to say ( apart from confirming my arguments ), or is this it?
Used with adjective complement
- become: Every decision is held in pending for four days before it becomes substantive.
- make: In April 2001 I successfully applied for secondment as Practice Placement Facilitator which was made substantive in June 2003.
Preposition: in
nature: The talks are all important in themselves and substantive in nature.
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