Substantial has two primary meanings:
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Real (Material or essential): In real contexts, substantial refers to something that is significant, substantial enough to influence its intended outcome or serve as the core essence of a project or topic. For instance, "a substantial budget for infrastructure development" indicates a high level of financial investment required for creating new roads, bridges, and other essential infrastructures.
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Important (Vital or paramount): Substantive emphasizes the underlying, fundamental significance or substance of something, rather than just its superficial features. In such cases, "the importance of environmental protection" suggests that it is crucial to address and preserve our planet's natural resources for future generations.
At the mercy of: This term is commonly used in parliamentary proceedings, referring to situations where someone or something is placed in a situation where they cannot do anything about their circumstances or cannot exert control over the outcomes. Here are a few examples:
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Buildings are left to decay at the mercy of vandals and the weather: Buildings become increasingly vulnerable due to reckless destruction by vandals and the relentless assault of harsh weather conditions. These factors contribute to their rapid deterioration and eventual collapse.
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Ordinary people are at the mercy of faceless bureaucrats: As the consequences of bureaucratic inefficiencies compound, ordinary citizens find themselves powerless against these agents who wield undue authority over their lives. Their fate is largely determined by a set of rules and procedures that govern how government agencies operate, without any room for customization or input from individuals.
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And you left her at the mercy of a man like me: In this statement, the speaker highlights a personal encounter where the listener finds themselves in the position of a rescuer or protector, being unable to stop the unfortunate event from unfolding due to the actions of a person similar to the narrator. The phrase "at the mercy of" implies that the speaker's efforts are futile, leaving the victim's fate entirely in the hands of their chosen helper.
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I'm not going to put myself at the mercy of the bank: The speaker expresses a stance that they will not accept help or guidance from a bank in solving their problem, emphasizing the autonomy they possess and the importance of taking responsibility for their own well-being. By stating that they will resist being controlled by the institution, the sentence conveys a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
One is that publishers are at the mercy of an inefficient distribution system: Publishers are heavily reliant on an outdated and unreliable distribution network, which hampers their ability to meet market demands and reach their target audience effectively. When a book fails to sell in one location, the publisher is left with the dilemma of either discarding the product or losing money through lost sales. This scenario showcases the complex relationship between a publisher's business strategy and its distribution channels.
A lady hired a painter to paint the walls at home. Painter one walked in the door and saw her husband blind, suddenly showing mercy vision: A housemaid stumbled upon a story when she encountered a visually impaired individual hiring a painter to paint the walls. Despite his blindness, the painter's sudden act of empathy and compassion caught the lady's attention. His unexpected appearance displayed a genuine concern for the person's visual impairment, showcasing the extraordinary bond and understanding that exist between humans despite physical limitations.
Emails can be deleted and ignored while a conference call puts one at the mercy of people gabbling away interminably at what is often an unsociable hour: Communication systems continue to evolve, and email, once a widely utilized means of interpersonal communication, now faces challenges such as censorship, spam filtering, and cluttered inboxes. These obstacles hinder effective engagement and prevent people from staying connected during informal gatherings, thereby depriving them of valuable social interactions and connection. In this context, "people gabbling away interminably at what is often an unsociable hour" highlights the plight of individuals who struggle to maintain meaningful conversations amidst the demands of digital connectivity.
One day, when I finish school, saw a man at the school gate at little chicks must sell, and I will have mercy on them: One fateful day, upon graduating from school, the speaker stumbled upon a farmer's stand selling small chicks at the entrance of their school gates. At first, the sight of these helpless creatures piqued their interest, but the teenager soon realized the stark reality that the farmer had been forced to operate the stall alone due to unforeseen circumstances. Feeling empathetic towards the situation, the student decided to show kindness by purchasing a few chicks and offering them a home, much like a merciful figure would do to ailing animals.
In conclusion, both "substantial" and "substantive motion" refer to qualities that play a vital role in shaping the essence or substance of something. However, they differ significantly in terms of their scope and applicability to specific contexts. The former is most commonly associated with tangible aspects of a subject, such as budgeting or preserving environment, whereas the latter deals with more abstract, conceptual considerations, often involving societal issues or human relationships. Ultimately, the choice between these two terms often depends on the nature of the subject matter and the particular implications or significance associated with each word.