a significant addition to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant addition to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that enhances or contributes meaningfully to a particular subject, project, or context. Example: "The new software update is a significant addition to our existing tools, improving overall functionality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His collection will make a significant addition to New York's resources.

The New York Times

The unit would have been a significant addition to Tenneco's automotive line.

The New York Times

This will be a significant addition to the growing field of suburban history.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mike Piazza knows the pressure that comes with being a significant addition to a New York baseball team.

The New York Times - Sports

The reshoots are said to have cost around $10m, a significant addition to the film's original $40m budget.

The Guardian - Film

Such modeling of language use would be a significant addition to the LIDA model.

Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures

"Will this just be an adjunct to the engineering plotter business, or a significant addition to the general office or the home?" he said.

The New York Times - Tech

While Moore's Jerusalem is a significant addition to Northampton's cultural map, that document is already far more crowded than outsiders might think.

The Guardian - Books

This new tool offers an entirely new way of telling developing political stories online and is a significant addition to the way we cover politics at the Guardian.

The Guardian

The programme for next Wednesday's performance of War Horse at the National Theatre will make no mention of a significant addition to the cast.

The Guardian - Books

We are surprised that they have done so when we have just announced today a new 60 day consultation period on a significant addition to our pension proposals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant addition to", ensure that the subject being added truly enhances or improves the existing context. Provide specific details to illustrate the significance of the addition.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant addition to" if the addition is minor or has a negligible impact. Overstating the significance can diminish the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant addition to" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something new or supplementary is notably enhancing or increasing the value, quality, or scope of something else. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant addition to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the positive and substantial impact of an addition. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, it is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing, reflecting its versatility across diverse contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's crucial to ensure the addition genuinely warrants the 'significant' descriptor to maintain writing credibility. Related phrases offer various alternatives to express similar ideas, and avoiding overstatement remains the key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable enhancement to

Replaces "significant" with "considerable", emphasizing the extent of the addition's positive impact.

a notable improvement to

Substitutes "addition" with "improvement", shifting the focus to the betterment resulting from the addition.

a major contribution to

Replaces "addition" with "contribution", highlighting the active role of the addition in achieving a result.

a substantial boost to

Uses "boost" instead of "addition", suggesting an increase in strength or effectiveness.

an important complement to

Changes "addition" to "complement", emphasizing that the new element completes or enhances something else.

a valuable asset for

Replaces "addition" with "asset", focusing on the usefulness and worth of the new element.

a key component of

Substitutes "addition" with "component", highlighting that the new element is an integral part of a larger system.

a strategic expansion of

Changes "addition" to "expansion", indicating growth or enlargement in a planned way.

a welcome augmentation of

Uses "augmentation" instead of "addition", stressing the act of increasing or supplementing something.

a powerful adjunct to

Replaces "addition" with "adjunct", suggesting that the new element is added to something else but is not essential.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant addition to" when you want to highlight that something notably improves or enhances an existing entity. For instance, "The new research lab is "a significant addition to" the university's science program".

What are some alternatives to "a significant addition to"?

You can use alternatives like "a major contribution to", "a notable improvement to", or "a valuable asset for" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "significant addition to" or "significant contribution to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "significant contribution to" emphasizes the active role of adding something, while "significant addition to" simply highlights the enhancement that results from the addition.

What makes an addition "significant"?

An addition is "significant" when it has a noteworthy or substantial impact, either quantitatively or qualitatively, on the entity it is added to. It often implies a meaningful improvement, enhancement, or expansion.