a major development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant change or advancement in a particular field or situation. Example: "The announcement of the new policy represents a major development in our approach to environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was a major development.

The New York Times

"That's a major development".

The New York Times

Tax has arrived as a major development issue.

The Guardian

Next week may bring a major development in another field.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We knew that this would be a major development stimulus.

The New York Times

"It's a major development," Mr. Baucus said Tuesday.

The New York Times

MWB has already undertaken a major development in Docklands.

Independent

A major development in the new survey concerned the smartphone.

The New York Times

"It's possible that this terrible occurrence will launch a major development cycle," Mr. Steinhardt said.

The New York Times

Sadiq Khan, the shadow justice secretary, said the SFO decision was a major development.

The Guardian

A major development is likely to be the continuing rise of international scientific collaborations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "a major development" with synonyms to add variety to your writing, but be aware of slight shifts in meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a major development" for minor or incremental changes. Reserve it for advancements that truly have a substantial impact or create a notable shift in the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major development" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes something as a significant advancement or change. Ludwig examples show its use across varied contexts, confirming its role in highlighting important progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major development" is a versatile phrase used to highlight significant advancements or changes across various fields. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently employed in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific publications. When incorporating this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the nature and impact of the development to avoid overstating its significance. Consider using alternatives like "a significant advance" or "a breakthrough achievement" to add nuance to your writing. Overall, "a major development" serves as a valuable tool for emphasizing important progress in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advance

Emphasizes progress and improvement.

a substantial leap

Highlights the magnitude of the progress.

a breakthrough achievement

Focuses on overcoming obstacles to achieve success.

a game-changing event

Implies a fundamental shift in the way things are done.

a pivotal moment

Highlights a crucial turning point in a situation.

a landmark occasion

Emphasizes the historical importance of the development.

a remarkable transformation

Focuses on the extent of the change.

an important milestone

Highlights the achievement of a significant objective.

a critical evolution

Emphasizes gradual and essential change.

a noteworthy occurrence

Highlights the significance and visibility of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major development" to describe a significant event, progress, or advancement in a particular field or situation. For example, "The discovery of the new vaccine is "a major development" in the fight against the disease".

What phrases can I use instead of "a major development"?

You can use alternatives such as "a significant advance", "a substantial leap", or "a breakthrough achievement" depending on the specific context.

Is "a major development" formal or informal?

"A major development" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation than on the phrase itself.

What's the difference between ""a major development"" and "an important event"?

"A major development" specifically implies progress or advancement, while "an important event" simply denotes something significant that has occurred. A development suggests a positive change, whereas an event could be positive, negative, or neutral.