a lack of breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there has been no significant progress or innovation in a particular area or field. Example: "Despite extensive research, there has been a lack of breakthrough in finding a cure for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For the first time in almost three decades there will be no million-album-selling artist in the UK in 2013, barring the very unexpected, as a lack of breakthrough records and the rise of streaming services such as Spotify hit sales this year.

The Guardian - Music

The market research firm said a lack of breakthrough features or specs has deterred consumers from replacing handsets.

Forbes

Beset by piracy, CD-burners and a lack of breakthrough acts, music sales have declined worldwide for three straight years.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was a lack of true breakthrough titles to follow Akira, which eventually grossed $80m globally.

The Guardian - Film

The development of new analgesics over the past 50 years: a lack of real breakthrough drugs.

Nature

Leicester continued to see plenty of ball in the Wasps 22, but their frustration at a lack of a breakthrough was summed up when Williams hurriedly belted a drop goal wide of the posts.

BBC

I think the failure of this portion of the Internet experience to advance in any meaningful way is not due to a lack of a breakthrough method, but a higher-order problem: no one is challenging the fundamentals of discussion on the Internet.

TechCrunch

She believes that genomics has enormous beneficial potential, but sees the human genome as a currency that so far has been deprived of value because, she alleges, of a lack of medical breakthroughs resulting from it.

Nature

Mark Fishman of Novartis, a Swiss company, says that after a similar lack of breakthroughs in genomics "we've gone back to the brute-force method of screening millions of candidates that kill a bug and then evaluating them for safety in humans".There are signs that the pipeline at the larger firms is running dry.

The Economist

A positive result for the presence of HIV-1 from any treated animal by any method indicated a lack of protection referred to as "breakthrough" infection.

Plosone

Merkel described the negotiations with Britain as having been intensive and demonstrating good will on both sides, despite what she called the "unfortunate" lack of breakthrough over the Irish border question.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lack of breakthrough", ensure that the context clearly identifies the area or field where progress is absent. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of breakthrough" repeatedly in the same document or discussion, as it can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, try using synonyms or rephrasing the idea to add variety and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of breakthrough" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase, highlighting its role in describing the absence of significant progress or innovation. For example, "For the first time...there will be a lack of breakthrough records".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Science & Research

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lack of breakthrough" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that describes the absence of significant progress or innovation. While considered rare in frequency, its application spans across various fields, including news, science, and research. As Ludwig AI analysis indicates, the phrase serves to inform or express concern regarding the absence of expected advancements. To enhance writing, it's best to use this phrase with a clearly defined context and avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "absence of progress" or "failure to advance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of advancement

Similar to "absence of progress", but emphasizes specific forward steps.

no significant development

Indicates the absence of noteworthy advancements.

lack of headway

Implies that there hasn't been any forward thrust or progress.

absence of progress

Emphasizes the general absence of forward movement.

absence of innovation

Highlights the lack of new ideas or methods.

stagnation

Conveys a sense of inactivity and lack of development.

failure to advance

Focuses on the inability to move forward or make progress.

failure to achieve success

Highlights that no goal has been met.

deadlock

Suggests a standstill or impasse, particularly in negotiations or discussions.

impasse

Similar to deadlock, indicating a situation with no apparent solution.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lack of breakthrough" to describe the absence of significant progress or innovation in a particular field. For example: "Despite years of research, there has been "a lack of breakthrough" in finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease."

What are some alternatives to saying "a lack of breakthrough"?

Some alternatives include "absence of progress", "no significant development", or "failure to advance". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "a lack of breakthrough" or "a lack of breakthroughs"?

"A lack of breakthrough" typically refers to a general absence of progress in a single area. "A lack of breakthroughs" suggests the absence of multiple significant advancements. The choice depends on whether you're referring to one specific area or several.

What does it mean when someone says there's "a lack of headway"?

Saying there's "a lack of headway" is similar to saying there's "a lack of breakthrough". It means that there is no real progress, advance, or meaningful result despite any efforts or attempts made so far.