a promising development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a promising development' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express optimism about a specific change or event. For example, "The new employee training program was a promising development for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Self-produced live recordings represent a promising development.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a promising development, but the process is awkward, potentially insulting to the sender and far from foolproof.

The New York Times

Margaret Chan, the director general of of the WHO, said the vaccine trial's success was a promising development.

The Guardian

And in a promising development, its rating improved by about 20percentt in its second half-hour.

The New York Times - Arts

Talks between Yukos and the government would be a promising development, Bruce Misamore, the chief financial officer of Yukos, said in an interview on Monday.

The New York Times

This marked, in some ways, a promising development for the defense — a signal that the defendant had feelings, after all, and that his death would devastate his family.

The New Yorker

For cable customers who are tired of sending hefty payments every month for channels they don't necessarily want, the rise of online video is, indeed, a promising development.

The New Yorker

Robert Sweet, a senior research fellow at the Palo Alto Research Center and an expert in chip fabrication, said the new design was a promising development.

The New York Times - Tech

A promising development is that some cultural events, which have traditionally focused on art or architecture, are adopting a more thoughtful and provocative approach to design.

The New York Times - Arts

"We are very pleased with this evolution, which can only be seen as a promising development leading towards London 2012," Moreau wrote.

The New York Times - Sports

In principle, the recognition (and the support for the opposition by the EU as a whole) should be a promising development.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a promising development" to introduce a positive change or innovation that has the potential to improve a situation or outcome. Make sure to provide specific details about why it's promising to avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "a promising development" when the evidence is only preliminary or anecdotal. Ensure you have sufficient data or expert opinions to support your assertion. Otherwise, temper your language to reflect the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a promising development" functions as a noun phrase, where "promising" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "development". This phrase is often used to introduce or highlight something that indicates a positive or beneficial change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a promising development" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote optimism about a positive change or potential advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts, ranging from news and scientific articles to business reports. When using this phrase, ensure that you can substantiate why the development is indeed promising with concrete evidence or expert opinions. Alternatives such as "hopeful sign" or "positive trend" can be used to add nuance. This phrase is a valuable tool for writers aiming to convey a sense of progress and potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hopeful sign

Focuses on the optimism associated with the situation.

a positive trend

Emphasizes the direction and potential continuation of improvement.

an encouraging indicator

Highlights the signal that something good is happening.

a favorable turn

Suggests a change in circumstances that is beneficial.

a welcome improvement

Indicates that the change is not only positive but also desired.

a step forward

Emphasizes the progress made.

a noteworthy advancement

Highlights the significance and importance of the progress.

an auspicious beginning

Focuses on the positive start and future potential.

a significant leap

Emphasizes the magnitude of the progress.

a silver lining

Highlights a positive aspect in a challenging situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a promising development" to introduce something that suggests a positive change or improvement. For instance, "The new vaccine trial is "a promising development" in the fight against the disease".

What are some alternatives to "a promising development"?

You can use alternatives like "hopeful sign", "positive trend", or "encouraging indicator" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a promising development" in formal writing?

Yes, "a promising development" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business, scientific, or news contexts. It conveys a sense of optimism and potential progress in a clear and professional manner.

What's the difference between ""a promising development"" and "a positive outcome"?

"A promising development" suggests potential future benefits, while "a positive outcome" refers to a result that has already occurred and is considered favorable. The former focuses on anticipation, the latter on realization.