What is the usage of "considerably" outside of comparative constructs?

Question

I have noticed that all the examples for "considerably" in Lexico (which is based on the OED, I believe?) are comparatives:

considerably [adverb]:

By a notably large amount or to a notably large extent; greatly.

• things have improved considerably over the last few years
• a considerably higher density
• In truth, much of her verse is as light as souffle but has considerably more substance.
• The obvious answer is that the state has got considerably larger under Labour.
• Getting legislation through the Senate in particular will be considerably easier.
• Most things got a little more than the starting price, some considerably more.
• He would be interesting to talk to because he knows considerably more about it than me.

What are the rules, if any, for using "considerably" in front of non-comparatives, for example "considerably popular"? This sounds strange, to me.

Is there perhaps a British English vs. American English difference?

Answer 1

Wiktionary, while not proscribing the use of considerably with a positive (not comparative ...) adjective, hardly implies that such a use is normal:

considerably [adverb] Positive: considerably // Comparative: none // Superlative: none

You use considerably when you want to make a comparative adjective stronger.

• Sharks are considerably faster swimmers than humans.

OALD and Macmillan are even more reticent, but at least they list 'considerably' as a headword in its own right.

..............................

With many short, 'everyday' adjectives, the modification can sound atrocious (though 'very' often works fine):

• *considerably mad / green / angry / slim / silly / sad ...

That said, especially with longer adjectives ('clear' is an interloper), examples can be found on the internet and to my ears sound reasonably acceptable:

• ... reasonably attractive, considerably intelligent, highly sociable and an excellent writer ... [Donna Banks; mandy website]

• The application of doctor-blading for flexible solar cells is considerably attractive due to its potential upscaling feasibility via a roll-to-roll process. [A Journal of Materials Chemistry; Xu et al; 2021]

• ... giving a terrifically tenacious debut performance and holding her own opposite both outdated language and a considerably capable cast. ... [William Goss; Orlando Weekly]

• ... for radiotherapy of brain metastatic disease, however this technique is considerably demanding on departmental equipment and staff time/experience. [NIH_National Library of Medicine; Vrána et al; 2016]

• ... if a heavy vehicle is in a considerably dangerous condition. [Brit-Tipp]

• This contrasts sharply with the behavior in the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick spin glass where a considerably clear sign for the phase transition can be found ... [Tanida et al; J Phys Soc of Japan; 1988]

The following Google 2-grams show various more and less acceptable pairings:

However, acceptable adjectives are quite rare. It is best to check for currency of a pairing, as some sound outlandish; Google ngrams and even raw Google searches for respectable-looking sentences will help in individual cases. Apart from more 'everyday' adjectives usually being unacceptable, and of course ungradeable (polar / extreme / dead ...) adjectives not being acceptable, I can't see any rules of thumb useful in predicting what will work.