a significant deadline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant deadline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an important or crucial time limit for a task or project. Example: "We need to prioritize our tasks to meet the significant deadline set by the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A Republican Senate candidate under fire for his comments about rape and pregnancy was under intense pressure to drop out of the race ahead of a significant deadline today.

Independent

President Obama's healthcare reforms were due to pass a significant deadline on Monday night when Americans must sign up for insurance if they want their coverage to begin on 1 January.

The Guardian

There's a significant deadline looming, June 30th.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The two sides are working with a soft but significant deadline.

The New York Times - Sports

But with so much of the legal authority already up in the air following an adverse ruling by the US appeal court, the more significant deadline remains the expiry of the existing Patriot Act provision at midnight on 31 May.

The Guardian

Premier League clubs set a transfer spending record, despite just one top-10 side making a significant buy on deadline day.

BBC

The latest dispatch says there is a "significant risk" that the legal deadline for separation or sale by December 2017 will be missed.

The Guardian - Business

A budget passed by the Legislature and delivered to Gov. David A. Paterson's desk near the deadline would be a significant victory for the new governor, who has had less than three weeks to broker a budget deal.

The New York Times

As her deadline had been a significant one, her career could even suffer as her time-focused peers might regard her as unreliable.

Huffington Post

Scheduling opportunities for this packet will be inspected only if its reception deadline is not past and if a significant ratio of the maximum end-to-end delay is still available before reaching this deadline as follows: (1).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Nevertheless, the lengthy elections process means that a significant period of uncertainty remains, while the withdrawal deadline is fast approaching.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a significant deadline", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the deadline is important. Providing specific details about the consequences of missing the deadline can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant deadline" for routine tasks or projects with minimal impact. Overusing the phrase can dilute its meaning and diminish its effectiveness when applied to truly crucial situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant deadline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is valid, and examples show its usage in contexts involving crucial time constraints.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a significant deadline" is a grammatically sound way to emphasize the importance of a specific target date. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is relatively rare. It's suitable for neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news reporting, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly illustrates why the deadline is significant to avoid overstating its importance. Alternatives like "an important deadline" or "a crucial deadline" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important deadline

Replaces "significant" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the importance of the deadline.

a crucial deadline

Substitutes "significant" with "crucial", highlighting the critical nature of the deadline.

a key deadline

Emphasizes the importance of the deadline using the word "key".

a vital deadline

Highlights the essential nature of the deadline.

a critical timeframe

Replaces "deadline" with "timeframe" and "significant" with "critical", slightly altering the structure.

an essential cutoff date

Uses a slightly more formal tone and replaces "deadline" with "cutoff date".

a pressing deadline

Focuses on the urgency of the deadline.

a major deadline

Uses the word "major" to convey the importance of the deadline.

a primary target date

Substitutes both "significant" and "deadline" with "primary" and "target date" respectively.

a substantial timeframe

Replaces "deadline" with "timeframe" and "significant" with "substantial", slightly altering the structure.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant deadline" to emphasize the importance of meeting a particular target date. For example, "We must complete the report by "a significant deadline" to secure the funding."

What are some alternatives to using "a significant deadline"?

Alternatives include "an important deadline", "a crucial deadline", or "a key deadline", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a deadline "significant"?

A deadline is "significant" when missing it would have considerable negative consequences, such as loss of funding, failure to meet regulatory requirements, or damage to reputation.

Is it redundant to say "very significant deadline"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "very significant deadline" can be seen as redundant. The word "significant" already implies importance, so adding "very" may not add substantial meaning. Consider using alternatives like "a crucial deadline" for greater impact.