a seminal work

USAGE SUMMARY

"a seminal work" is a perfectly correct phrase that can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to describe an important or influential book, article, or other piece of work. For example, "Nancy's groundbreaking thesis was considered a seminal work in its field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"God's Doodle" is a seminal work.

The Economist

Williams's play remains a seminal work.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet it remains a seminal work.

The Guardian - Arts

The project yielded a seminal work, The Law of the European Economic Community.

The New York Times

The book is regarded as a seminal work on jail management.

Independent

This proved to be a seminal work, and it established Bultmann's reputation as a scholar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Goodness knows, it's not as if a seminal work can be tossed off overnight.

The New Yorker

Aileen Kraditor's "Ideas of the Woman Suffrage Movement" (1965) is a seminal work.

The New York Times - Books

'The tent was a seminal work,' she says, ' a great loss... I cried and cried.

The Guardian

Nightcleaners was intended as a propaganda film, but became a seminal work of documentary art.

The Guardian - Arts

This is a seminal work from Hindemith's rigorously contrapuntal, humorlessly Neo-Classical period.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a seminal work" to describe something still in progress or very recent. Seminal works typically demonstrate lasting impact over time. Use alternative phrases like "promising research" or "notable initial findings" for newer projects.

Common error

Avoid labeling a work as "a seminal work" immediately after its release. Seminal status is generally earned over time, as the work's lasting impact and influence become evident. Instead, consider using terms like "important contribution" or "promising development" when discussing recent works.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a seminal work" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or an appositive, defining or re-identifying a particular piece of work. It signifies the work's fundamental and influential nature within its field, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a seminal work" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a significantly influential piece of work. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse fields. Its presence is particularly notable in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Science", indicating its relevance in formal and scholarly discourse. While the phrase accurately conveys the importance of a study, overusing it can diminish its impact. Therefore, it is recommended to reserve "a seminal work" for truly groundbreaking contributions and, when appropriate, consider alternative phrases like "a groundbreaking piece" or "an influential study".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A groundbreaking piece

Emphasizes the innovative nature of the work.

An influential study

Highlights the impact and effect the work has on its field.

A foundational text

Focuses on the work's role as a base for further developments.

A pivotal contribution

Stresses the importance of the work as a turning point.

A landmark achievement

Highlights the work's significance as a notable accomplishment.

An epoch-making creation

Suggests the work marks the beginning of a new era or period.

A transformative work

Emphasizes the work's capacity to bring about significant change.

A pioneering study

Highlights that the work is the first of its kind.

A critical analysis

Highlights its role in scholarly discourse.

An essential resource

Focuses on the work's indispensable value for understanding a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "a seminal work" in a sentence?

You can use "a seminal work" to describe a highly influential piece of writing. For example, "Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' is "a seminal work" in the field of evolutionary biology".

What are some alternatives to saying "a seminal work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a groundbreaking piece", "an influential study", or "a foundational text".

What makes a work "seminal"?

A seminal work is one that has a lasting and significant impact on a particular field, influencing subsequent research, thought, and practice. It is often considered a foundational text and is widely cited and referenced.

Is it appropriate to call a recent publication "a seminal work"?

While it's possible for a recent publication to have a significant impact, seminal status is generally earned over time. It's usually more appropriate to reserve the term for works that have demonstrated lasting influence. Consider using terms like "promising" or "important" for recent works.