Major breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Major breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant advancement or discovery in a particular field or area of study. Example: "The researchers announced a major breakthrough in cancer treatment that could save countless lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was a major breakthrough.

The New York Times - Tech

"It was a major breakthrough".

The New York Times

On verge of major breakthrough vis-à-vis choreography!

The New Yorker

The machine represents a major breakthrough in costs.

The New Yorker

"That was a major breakthrough in the profession," she said.

Independent

He added, "Do not expect any major breakthrough".

The New York Times

The identity of the Australian was the second major breakthrough.

The New York Times

"It's early days to portray this as a major breakthrough.

The New York Times

The process, Dr. Higgins said, is "a major breakthrough".

The New York Times

He said the settlement was a major breakthrough.

The New York Times

Reggae was on the verge of a major breakthrough.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "major breakthrough" to emphasize a significant positive development, especially in fields like science, technology, or medicine. For example, "The new drug represents a "major breakthrough" in treating Alzheimer's disease."

Common error

Avoid using "major breakthrough" for incremental improvements or minor advancements. Reserve it for truly significant developments that represent a substantial leap forward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major breakthrough" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or an appositive, describing a significant advancement, discovery, or achievement. Ludwig AI validates this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major breakthrough" is a frequently used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a significant advancement or discovery. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts including news, science, and formal communications. While the phrase is generally appropriate for formal writing, it should be reserved for truly substantial developments to avoid overstating minor improvements. Alternatives such as "significant advancement" or "important discovery" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant advancement

Emphasizes the degree of progress made, focusing on the improvement achieved.

Important discovery

Highlights the element of finding something new and valuable.

Key development

Focuses on the aspect of growth and evolution in a process or project.

Remarkable achievement

Stresses the level of accomplishment and the effort involved.

Groundbreaking innovation

Highlights the introduction of something new and revolutionary.

Progress leap

Focuses on the rapid and substantial advancement achieved.

Critical success

Emphasizes the achievement of a necessary goal.

Principal attainment

Highlights the achievement of a main objective.

Paramount accomplishment

Stresses the supreme level of achievement.

Giant stride

Emphasizes the magnitude and impact of the progress.

FAQs

How can I use "Major breakthrough" in a sentence?

Use "Major breakthrough" to describe a significant and impactful advancement or discovery. For example, "The development of the vaccine was a "major breakthrough" in combating the virus." You could also say "The discovery was a "significant advancement"".

What are some alternatives to "Major breakthrough"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "significant advancement", "important discovery", or "key development" as alternatives to "Major breakthrough".

Is it appropriate to use "Major breakthrough" in formal writing?

Yes, "Major breakthrough" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific, business, or news contexts, as evidenced by its usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and scientific journals.

What distinguishes a "Major breakthrough" from a regular improvement?

A "major breakthrough" signifies a substantial and transformative advancement, whereas a regular improvement refers to incremental progress. A "major breakthrough" often opens up new possibilities or fundamentally changes existing paradigms.