a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

"a breakthrough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a moment or period of time in which an important discovery or development is made. For example: "Researchers have made a breakthrough in diabetes treatments, offering new hope to millions of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A breakthrough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nkala was a breakthrough.

The New York Times - Sports

18 September: A breakthrough.

The Guardian

This is a breakthrough".

The New York Times

"It's a breakthrough".

The New York Times

What a breakthrough!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a breakthrough moment.

The New York Times - Arts

Finally, I had a breakthrough.

The New York Times

They hoped for a breakthrough.

The New York Times - Sports

"That would be a breakthrough".

The New York Times

Finally — a breakthrough.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a breakthrough" to highlight significant positive developments or discoveries in various fields. Ensure the context clearly indicates the area in which the advancement has occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "a breakthrough" to describe minor improvements or changes. Reserve it for truly significant advancements to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a breakthrough" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It highlights the presence of a significant advancement or discovery. Ludwig examples confirm its use in denoting pivotal moments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a breakthrough" is a widely used phrase that denotes a significant advancement or discovery, primarily functioning as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When writing, it's best to use "a breakthrough" to highlight substantial positive developments, avoiding its overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives include "a major advancement" or "a significant development". Overall, understanding its communicative purpose and register is key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major advancement

Emphasizes the scale of the progress, suggesting a large step forward.

a significant development

Focuses on the importance of the progress made.

a game changer

Highlights the transformative impact of the progress.

a pivotal moment

Highlights the importance of the moment and what's at stake.

a turning point

Suggests a change in direction due to the progress.

a quantum leap

Implies a sudden and significant jump in progress.

a watershed moment

Indicates a historical or significant turning point.

a key innovation

Highlights the novelty and importance of the innovative progress.

a radical shift

Implies a fundamental and transformative change.

a major stride

Suggests a significant step forward in achieving a goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "a breakthrough" to describe a significant discovery or development. For example, "The new drug represents "a breakthrough" in cancer treatment".

What's a good alternative to "a breakthrough"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a major advancement", "a significant development", or "a game changer".

Is it correct to say "the breakthrough" instead of "a breakthrough"?

While both can be correct, "a breakthrough" is used when referring to one specific instance of progress. "The breakthrough" might be used when referring to a generally known or already established instance. Context determines which is more appropriate.

What makes something qualify as "a breakthrough"?

A "breakthrough" typically involves a significant advancement that resolves a long-standing problem or opens up new possibilities. It signifies a notable departure from previous limitations and has potential for widespread impact.