a major stride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major stride" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant advancement or improvement in a particular area or field. Example: "The new technology represents a major stride in renewable energy efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It marks a major stride forward, at once sure-footed in its method and destabilizing in its effect.

The New Yorker

"That would be justice, that would be a major stride toward a meaningful dialogue and a lasting peace," he said.

The New York Times

In Cote d'Ivoire, we will help organise elections before year's end – a major stride toward recovery and democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The project was rife with challenges, uncertainties and delays, but its success marks a major stride forward for the aviation industry and the clean-energy sector.

Cornell University

Rain washed out batting practice on the field for both teams at Comerica Park on Friday, when the Yankees took a major stride toward reversing their baffling, two-month-long ineffectiveness with the bases loaded.

The New York Times - Sports

"When you've got nothing that works, anything that makes a difference is a major stride," said Dr. Anna C. Pavlick, assistant professor of medicine at New York University, who was an investigator in the trial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

After decades of largely clandestine efforts, Iran is expected to declare in coming days that it has made a huge leap toward industrial-scale production of enriched uranium — a defiant act that the country's leaders will herald as a major technical stride and its neighbors will denounce as a looming threat.

The New York Times

The first major stride in that direction is needed.

The New York Times

Last year, the tribalist-techno festival Lightning in a Bottle made some major strides with a revamped lineup of crossover electronica stars like Purity Ring and Nicolas Jaar.

Los Angeles Times

Just staying close to the Tide would be a sign of major strides in Starkville.

The New York Times

Literacy rates are also a concern, although major strides have been made, with more girls attending school.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major stride" to emphasize substantial progress, especially when a significant obstacle has been overcome. It highlights the positive impact of the advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "a major stride" to describe minor improvements or everyday occurrences. This diminishes the phrase's impact and can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major stride" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It signifies a noteworthy advancement or significant progress in a particular area. As Ludwig suggests, it emphasizes a positive development.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major stride" is a phrase used to describe significant progress or a substantial advancement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants its weight, avoiding overuse for minor improvements. Alternatives such as "a significant step forward" or "a substantial advancement" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. The phrase carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for formal discussions and news reporting alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant step forward

Emphasizes the progression aspect, using "step" instead of "stride".

a substantial advancement

Focuses on the degree of progress, highlighting "advancement".

a large leap

Uses "leap" to illustrate a sudden and significant jump in progress.

a great breakthrough

Highlights the element of discovery and overcoming obstacles.

a considerable improvement

Focuses specifically on the aspect of becoming better.

a marked progress

Uses "marked" to emphasize the noticeable nature of the advancement.

a giant leap for

A reference to a famous quote, emphasizing the monumental nature of the advancement. Needs 'for' to be complete.

a notable development

Highlights that the advancement is worthy of attention.

a considerable achievement

Focuses on the successful completion aspect of the advancement.

an important milestone

Highlights the idea that the advancement represents a key point in a larger process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major stride" to describe significant progress or advancement in a particular field or situation. For example, "The new technology represents "a major stride" in renewable energy efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "a major stride"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant step forward", "a substantial advancement", or "a large leap" depending on the context.

Is "a major stride" formal or informal?

"A major stride" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news and professional writing.

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

"A major stride" indicates a substantial advancement or breakthrough, while "a minor improvement" suggests a small or incremental change. The choice depends on the scale of the progress.