a major breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

"a major breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant accomplishment or discovery. For example: "Developing a vaccine for this rare virus was a major breakthrough in modern medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was a major breakthrough.

The New York Times - Tech

"It was a major breakthrough".

The New York Times

The machine represents a major breakthrough in costs.

The New Yorker

"That was a major breakthrough in the profession," she said.

Independent

"It's early days to portray this as a major breakthrough.

The New York Times

The process, Dr. Higgins said, is "a major breakthrough".

The New York Times

He said the settlement was a major breakthrough.

The New York Times

Reggae was on the verge of a major breakthrough.

The New York Times - Arts

Malaysia Airlines described the discovery as "a major breakthrough".

The Guardian

Women around the world are likely to see a Clinton presidency as a major breakthrough.

The New York Times

A major breakthrough in carbon-14 dating occurred with the introduction of the accelerator mass spectrometer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major breakthrough", ensure the context clearly establishes what field or area the breakthrough pertains to, adding specifics when possible. For example, "a major breakthrough in cancer research" is more informative than simply "a major breakthrough".

Common error

Avoid using "a major breakthrough" for minor improvements or incremental changes. Reserve it for genuinely significant advancements that represent a substantial departure from previous norms or limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major breakthrough" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It signifies something that overcomes an obstacle or achieves a significant advancement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major breakthrough" is a noun phrase used to denote a significant advancement or discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It's prevalent in news, science, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the area of advancement and that its significance is justified. Avoid using it for minor improvements. Alternatives include "a significant advance", "a pivotal development", and "a groundbreaking discovery". The phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advance

Focuses on the degree of progress achieved.

a pivotal development

Highlights the turning-point aspect of the advancement.

a game-changing innovation

Emphasizes the transformative impact of the innovation.

a groundbreaking discovery

Stresses the novelty and unprecedented nature of the finding.

a watershed moment

Emphasizes the historical significance of the event.

a revolutionary step

Highlights the transformative and far-reaching implications.

a considerable leap forward

Indicates a substantial advancement from a previous state.

an important milestone

Highlights its relevance in the broader development.

a key achievement

Highlights the success aspect of the advancement.

a notable accomplishment

Emphasizes the merit and recognition of the achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "a major breakthrough" in a sentence?

Use "a major breakthrough" to describe a significant advancement or discovery in a specific field. For example: "The development of the polio vaccine was "a major breakthrough" in public health".

What are some alternatives to saying "a major breakthrough"?

You can use alternatives such as "a significant advance", "a pivotal development", or "a groundbreaking discovery" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a small improvement as "a major breakthrough"?

No, using "a major breakthrough" for a minor improvement is an overstatement. This phrase should be reserved for truly significant advancements that have a transformative impact.

In what contexts is "a major breakthrough" commonly used?

"A major breakthrough" is frequently used in contexts related to science, medicine, technology, and politics to describe significant discoveries, innovations, or advancements. It is also often used when reporting "important milestones".