a formidable advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable advance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impressive progress or improvement in a particular field or area. Example: "The researchers made a formidable advance in cancer treatment, leading to more effective therapies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They are the manifestation of a formidable advance in technology".

The Guardian

Cromwell's Commonwealth represented a formidable advance compared to the reign of King Charles which preceded it.

BBC

Although next-generation sequencing presents a formidable advance in population genomics, a significant limitation in sampling depth remains for organisms with large genomes.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Moreover, formidable advances in sequence similarity searches make it possible to identify with a high fidelity proteins whose exact sequence is missing in the database, using their likeness to orthologues from other species.

Plosone

As seen over the years, there have been formidable advances in computing and software.

Forbes

Survival horror games, like many action-adventure games, are structured around the boss encounter where the player must confront a formidable opponent in order to advance to the next area.

Wikipedia

Flintridge Sacred Heart will have a formidable test in El Dorado, which advanced to the championship match last season against La Salle.

Los Angeles Times

Getting people to draft advance directives is a formidable undertaking.

The New York Times

The Rhine was a formidable natural obstacle to the Allied advance, but if breached would allow the Allies to access the North German Plain and ultimately advance on Berlin and other major cities in Northern Germany.

Wikipedia

The infantile form is characterized by renal failure early in life, advanced systemic oxalosis, and a formidable mortality rate.

Stanford University

A formidable phalanx of key policy players have mobilized to advance proposals for deep cuts or radical restructuring of entitlements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scientific discoveries, using "a formidable advance" can highlight the breakthrough's potential impact and the challenges overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable advance" for minor improvements or everyday progress. This phrase is best reserved for truly significant achievements, as overuse can dilute its impact and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable advance" functions as a noun phrase, where "formidable" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "advance". It describes the nature of the advance as being significant, powerful, or impressive. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formidable advance" is a phrase used to describe significant and impressive progress, especially in fields where advancements are hard-won and impactful. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While the phrase appears less frequently, it carries a strong connotation of overcoming obstacles and achieving substantial progress. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Wiki. When using this phrase, reserve it for situations where the progress is truly noteworthy and powerful, as overuse can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial leap

Emphasizes the magnitude of the progress made, suggesting a significant distance covered.

a remarkable breakthrough

Focuses on the unexpected and significant nature of the advancement.

a considerable improvement

Highlights the positive change and its noteworthy extent.

a major step forward

Underscores the importance of the advance in progressing towards a goal.

a significant development

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the advancement.

a powerful progression

Highlights the strength and forward movement of the advance.

a striking evolution

Focuses on the transformative and noticeable aspect of the advance.

a giant stride

Emphasizes the long distance covered and the significance of the progress.

a quantum leap

Highlights the abrupt and significant nature of the advancement.

a ground breaking step

Emphasizes the innovative character of the advance.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable advance" in a sentence?

You can use "a formidable advance" to describe significant progress in a particular field, such as "The new technology represents a formidable advance in renewable energy".

What are some alternatives to "a formidable advance"?

Alternatives include "a significant breakthrough", "a major step forward", or "a considerable improvement", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a formidable advance" formal or informal language?

"A formidable advance" is generally considered to be formal language, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts.

In what contexts is "a formidable advance" most appropriately used?

This phrase is well-suited for describing progress in fields such as science, technology, medicine, and engineering, where advancements are often hard-won and impactful.