a key breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant advancement or discovery in a particular field or context. Example: "The researchers announced a key breakthrough in cancer treatment that could change the lives of millions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

To test the device's stability – a key breakthrough – lab members physically tapped on the microscope where they'd mounted their chip.

Cornell University

Temporary Chief Constable Sue Sim said the arrest of the two men yesterday was a "key breakthrough".

Independent

The MLSPU was probably not in a strong enough position to win everything it wanted via a strike yet it won a key breakthrough at the bargaining table.

The Guardian - Sport

A film career eventually followed, with a key breakthrough role being fast-talking radio DJ Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).

The Guardian - Film

During the Chilean mine rescue, a key breakthrough came from a 24-year-old field engineer who showed up at the site on his own.

Harvard Business Review

The Germans were forced to give up their attempt to intercept the allied advance and made a panicky retreat which allowed the allies to push forward through the Falaise Pocket, a key breakthrough in the war.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Boyle and Smith's key breakthrough was devising a way to read out the number and location of electrons captured in each well in an array of pixels.

Los Angeles Times

Unidym's method to manufacture nanotubes is a key technology breakthrough.

MIT Technology Review

"That was a key psychological breakthrough," Governor Glendening said as he also cited growing public disgust with repeated instances of gun violence, including the harrowing disruption of a Baltimore suburb this week when a suspect in four gun deaths held hostages and was finally shot to death.

The New York Times

This will provide a very real chance of a key scientific breakthrough in a technological area".

Science Magazine

And the key breakthrough comes when Kate lets out a dirty cackle at Petruchio's joke about cunnilingus.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing progress, use "a key breakthrough" to highlight a specific moment or achievement that significantly advanced a field, project, or understanding. For instance, "The development of the algorithm was "a key breakthrough" in machine learning".

Common error

Avoid using "a key breakthrough" for minor advancements or incremental improvements. Reserve it for truly significant moments that dramatically alter the course of events or understanding. Using it too liberally dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key breakthrough" functions as a noun phrase within a sentence. It typically serves as a subject or object, identifying a pivotal advancement or discovery, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

23%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key breakthrough" is a frequently used phrase signifying a significant advancement or pivotal discovery. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, from scientific publications to news reports. To effectively use this phrase, reserve it for genuinely transformative moments. While highly versatile, "a key breakthrough" is most prevalent in scientific and academic writing. Use it to highlight important milestones and signal progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major advance

Replaces 'breakthrough' with 'advance', indicating significant progress.

a significant development

Substitutes 'breakthrough' with 'development', highlighting an important event or stage.

a crucial discovery

Emphasizes the finding aspect of the breakthrough, using 'discovery' instead.

a pivotal moment

Focuses on the importance of the moment, using 'pivotal moment' to signify a turning point.

a game-changing innovation

Highlights the transformative impact, replacing 'breakthrough' with 'game-changing innovation'.

a fundamental shift

Indicates a basic or essential change, substituting 'breakthrough' with 'fundamental shift'.

a critical juncture

Stresses the importance of the stage reached, using 'critical juncture' to denote a significant point in time.

a landmark achievement

Replaces 'breakthrough' with 'achievement', underlining the successful culmination of effort.

a notable advancement

Highlights the degree to which something has improved, with a focus on it being 'notable'.

a ground-breaking discovery

Changes 'key' with 'ground-breaking', for emphasis.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a key breakthrough"?

You can use alternatives like "a major advance", "a significant development", or "a crucial discovery" depending on the context.

How is "a key breakthrough" different from "a minor improvement"?

"A key breakthrough" signifies a significant advancement or discovery that fundamentally changes something. In contrast, "a minor improvement" refers to a small, incremental change that doesn't necessarily alter the overall landscape.

Is it appropriate to use "a key breakthrough" in informal writing?

While "a key breakthrough" is suitable for formal and professional contexts, it can also be used in informal writing when describing a significant achievement or discovery. The appropriateness depends on the overall tone and audience. In informal writing, you could also consider the more casual term "game changer".

How do I use "a key breakthrough" in a sentence?

Use "a key breakthrough" to highlight a specific achievement or moment of progress. For example, "The development of the new vaccine was "a key breakthrough" in the fight against the disease" or "Understanding the genetic code proved to be "a key breakthrough" in modern biology".