a giant leap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a giant leap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant advancement or progress in a particular area. Example: "The invention of the internet was a giant leap for communication technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a giant leap".

The New York Times

That too was a giant leap.

The Guardian

It seemed more like a giant leap.

The Guardian - Sport

It wasn't a giant leap to imagine interactions between them.

The New Yorker

On paper, it's a giant leap for the fashion industry.

Independent

"Yes, and vinyl just took a giant leap," Harrington said.

The New Yorker

Driverless cars should be a giant leap for older people.

Independent

And from next year, we'll take a giant leap forward.

Independent

It is also a giant leap of faith.

The New York Times - Style

Sometimes a small step is preferable to a giant leap.

The New York Times

And attitudes have taken a giant leap backward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a giant leap", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific area or field is experiencing significant progress.

Common error

Avoid using "a giant leap" for minor improvements or incremental changes. This phrase should be reserved for truly transformative advancements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a giant leap" primarily functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to describe a significant advancement or progress, often in the context of technology, science, or societal change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a giant leap" is a phrase used to describe a significant advancement or progress, and it is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig, the phrase is categorized as a noun phrase, is frequently used across varied contexts (mainly News & Media, Science and Formal & Business) and has a neutral tone, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication. The phrase's high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian affirm its common usage. When employing this phrase, focus on conveying true and impactful advancements, to avoid overstating the significance of minor improvements. Consider alternatives like "a major advancement" or "a significant breakthrough" to fine-tune the tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major advancement

This alternative focuses on the idea of advancement, emphasizing the significance of the progress made.

a significant breakthrough

This alternative highlights the idea of overcoming obstacles and achieving a major success.

a quantum jump

This alternative suggests a sudden and dramatic change or advancement.

a monumental stride

This alternative emphasizes the importance and scale of the progress achieved.

a great stride forward

This emphasizes forward movement and considerable progress.

a considerable step forward

This alternative highlights the idea of making progress, but with a slightly more conservative tone.

a substantial advance

This phrase conveys the meaning of progress, but underscores the solid and tangible nature of the advancement.

a sea change

This captures a broad, fundamental shift, connoting a transformative difference from the past.

a paradigm shift

This highlights a change in fundamental assumptions or underlying concepts.

a game changer

This emphasizes the impact of the change, highlighting how it transforms the competitive landscape.

FAQs

How can I use "a giant leap" in a sentence?

You can use "a giant leap" to describe a significant advancement or progress in a particular field. For example, "The development of artificial intelligence represents "a giant leap" in technology."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "a giant leap"?

If you want to express progress without the strong emphasis of "a giant leap", you could use phrases like "a significant step", "a major advance", or "notable progress".

Is it appropriate to use "a giant leap" in formal writing?

Yes, "a giant leap" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider your audience and the level of impact you wish to convey. Alternatives like "a significant breakthrough" might be preferred in some academic or technical contexts.

What is the origin of the phrase "a giant leap"?

The phrase "a giant leap" is famously associated with Neil Armstrong's first words upon stepping onto the Moon in 1969: "That's one small step for [a] man, "a giant leap" for mankind."