a major leap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a major leap' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a great improvement or sudden advancement. For example, "She made a major leap in her writing skills over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That was a major leap forward".

Independent

At the same time, though, preservation groups are overdue for a major leap of consciousness.

The New York Times - Arts

To improve by a 10th of a minute a year is a major leap.

The New York Times

'For the government to accept that institutional racism exists is a major leap forward.

The Guardian

SEVEN months ago, Haruko Obokata (pictured) stormed into Japan's public consciousness in a nationally televised press conference in which she claimed a major leap forward in regenerative medicine.

The Economist

Doctors called her progress "a major leap forward" but expressed caution, saying that for now, they would not upgrade Ms. Giffords, an Arizona Democrat, from critical condition.

The New York Times

Intel says the chips will offer a new level of performance to servers and other high-end computers, and they are a major leap in manufacturing capability.

The New York Times - Tech

Not only are there more whole-wheat pastas available than ever before, but some of them show a major leap in quality.

The New York Times - Food

LOS ANGELES – A quest by Warner Brothers to rid its Superman character of legal entanglements just took a major leap forward.

The New York Times

Richard Lane of the National Science Foundation said, "Human comprehension of the history of life on Earth is taking a major leap forward".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Visual considerations like lighting came to the fore (perhaps most strikingly with Thief's Dark Engine), backed up with AI that responded intelligently to sound a major leap.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major leap" to highlight significant advancements or improvements in various contexts, such as technology, science, or personal development.

Common error

Avoid using "a major leap" to describe minor improvements or changes. Reserve it for situations where the progress is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major leap" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object to describe a significant advancement or improvement. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it typically highlights considerable progress in a specific area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major leap" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a significant advancement or improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While versatile, it is best reserved for situations where progress is truly substantial, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Alternatives like "significant advancement" or "substantial improvement" can provide nuanced variations for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advancement

Emphasizes progress being substantial and noteworthy.

a substantial improvement

Focuses on the notable enhancement or betterment achieved.

a breakthrough achievement

Highlights a significant discovery or success that overcomes obstacles.

a quantum jump

Suggests a sudden and dramatic change or improvement.

a giant stride

Implies a large step forward, emphasizing the magnitude of the progress.

a considerable step forward

Indicates notable advancement towards a goal.

a game-changing development

Highlights the transformative impact of the progress.

a sea change

Suggests a fundamental shift in attitude, opinion, or circumstance.

a pivotal moment

Emphasizes the crucial and transformative nature of the event.

a watershed event

Marks a turning point with lasting consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major leap" to describe significant advancements. For instance, "The new technology represents "a major leap" in efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "a major leap"?

Alternatives include "significant advancement", "substantial improvement", or "breakthrough achievement" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a major leap" is appropriate in formal writing to describe significant progress or advancements across various fields.

What's the difference between "a major leap" and "a minor improvement"?

"A major leap" signifies a substantial and transformative change, whereas "a minor improvement" refers to a small, incremental betterment.