a significant

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that has a great importance or influence, for example, "The discovery of oil has been a significant event in the country's history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a significant gamble.

The New York Times

"It's a significant contribution".

The New York Times - Science

That's a significant victory.

The New York Times - Health

"It's a significant shift".

The New York Times

"It's a significant issue".

The New York Times - Tech

A significant detail disappoints.

Independent

It is a significant loss.

The New York Times - Sports

Violence remains a significant problem.

The New York Times

"This is a significant step.

Independent

This is a significant point.

The New York Times

"Apple has a significant lead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant" to emphasize the importance or impact of a particular detail, event, or change in your writing. This helps to draw the reader's attention to key elements.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant" multiple times in the same paragraph. Vary your language with synonyms like "considerable", "noteworthy", or "substantial" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant" functions as a determiner and adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies is important, noteworthy, or has a considerable impact. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance or impact of a noun. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, most frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business domains. When using this phrase, consider varying your language to avoid overuse and ensure the term accurately reflects the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "a considerable", "a substantial", or "a noteworthy" can add nuance and precision to your writing. Use "a significant" to highlight key elements and draw your reader's attention to crucial aspects of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable

Emphasizes the amount or degree of something that is large or important.

a noteworthy

Highlights the quality of being worthy of attention or notice.

an important

Directly indicates a high value or crucial role.

a substantial

Suggests a solid or considerable amount or size.

a meaningful

Implies that something is full of meaning, purpose, or value.

a remarkable

Indicates something is worthy of attention because it is unusual or striking.

a consequential

Highlights the importance of something due to its consequences.

a critical

Emphasizes the crucial importance of something.

a key

Suggests something is essential or vital.

a prominent

Indicates something stands out or is widely recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant" in a sentence?

Use "a significant" to describe something important or impactful. For example, "The new policy change had "a significant impact" on the company's profits".

What's the difference between "a significant" and "an important"?

"A significant" implies a noticeable effect or consequence, while "an important" simply means having high value or relevance. Something can be important without being significant, and vice versa.

What are some alternatives to "a significant"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable", "a substantial", or "a noteworthy" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "a significant" when describing something important?

No, while "a significant" is a valid choice, using more precise language can often improve your writing. Consider whether alternatives like "a crucial", "a vital", or "a key" might be more appropriate.