a critical development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an important or significant event or change in a particular context, such as business, science, or social issues. Example: "The discovery of the new vaccine represents a critical development in the fight against the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It's a critical development.

The New York Times

The International Subversives' incursions into Nortel turned out to be a critical development for Operation Weather.

The New Yorker

The shelling along the Turkish-Syrian border is a critical development.

The New York Times

This is a critical development in accountability and should introduce into the law of England and Wales a culture of corporate accountability that has, so far, been absent.

The Guardian

It has amended its legal challenge in what it claims is a critical development in its fight against the mine, proposed by the Indian coal giant, Adani.

The Guardian

Tim Buckley from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said the departure of Posco staff was a "critical" development.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

A most critical development in such a marriage is the presence of children, when the balance of power is radically shifted.

The Guardian

The first 16 goals cover a range of critical development needs, expanding on the Millennium Development Goals, which have guided development efforts since 2000.

Huffington Post

These results are consistent with a prolonged period of critical development for this skill.

Epilepsy & Behavior

For 2014, it identified a critical weather development in 38% of all days.

Renewable Energy

One of the most critical developments of an open ecosystem is making it easy for developers to innovate.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a critical development", ensure the context clearly establishes why the development is indeed crucial. Provide supporting details to underscore its significance for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical development" for minor or trivial events. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical development" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific event or stage that is considered essential or of high importance. Ludwig shows examples across varied contexts where this phrase is used to emphasize the significance of a particular change or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical development" is a phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific event, change, or advancement. It functions as a noun phrase and is appropriate for neutral to professional contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While frequently seen in news, science, and formal business settings, its impact relies on the context provided to justify its significance. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, reinforcing its validity in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crucial advancement

Replaces "development" with "advancement", emphasizing progress and improvement.

a significant milestone

Substitutes "development" with "milestone", highlighting a key achievement.

a pivotal turning point

Emphasizes the transformative nature of the development.

an essential evolution

Highlights the gradual and necessary nature of the change.

a fundamental shift

Stresses a basic and important alteration.

a game-changing event

Emphasizes the disruptive and impactful nature of the event.

a key breakthrough

Focuses on a sudden and significant discovery or achievement.

an important step forward

Highlights progress and positive movement.

a noteworthy occurrence

Emphasizes the remarkable nature of the event.

a consequential event

Highlights the importance of the event in terms of its results or effects.

FAQs

How can I use "a critical development" in a sentence?

Use "a critical development" to highlight a significant event or change. For example, "The new policy is "a critical development" for the company's future."

What can I say instead of "a critical development"?

You can use alternatives like "a crucial advancement", "a significant milestone", or "a pivotal turning point" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a critical development" formal or informal?

"A critical development" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and business communications. It may sound too serious for casual conversation.

What makes a development "critical"?

A development is "critical" if it has a significant impact, represents a turning point, or is essential for achieving a particular outcome. Its importance should be evident within the context.