a significant development

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant development" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to refer to an event or occurrence that is relevant to a particular story, context, or situation. For example, "The rise of digital media has been a significant development in the 21st century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was a significant development.

The Guardian

That would be a significant development.

Yale University

There has been a significant development in the courts, however.

The New York Times

"By any definition this is a significant development".

The Guardian

"This is a significant development," the senior Saudi official said.

The New York Times

From a criminal justice standpoint, that's a significant development.

The Washington Post

This is a significant development in the European debate.

Independent

Ms Fitzgerald said the legal change was a "significant development".

Independent

This would of course be a significant development.

The New York Times

What would rise to the level of a significant development?

The New York Times

They really are a product of a significant development plan and they're paying the dividends now".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant development" to introduce a key event or change, especially when emphasizing its importance or impact.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "a significant development" in extremely casual conversations. Simpler phrases may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant development" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes an event, situation, or occurrence that is considered important or noteworthy. Ludwig confirms the usability and correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant development" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the importance of an event or change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts, signaling its relevance in conveying crucial information. While appropriate for various settings, it's best suited for situations where emphasizing impact is key. Alternatives like "a noteworthy advancement" or "an important milestone" can be used for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noteworthy advancement

Replaces "development" with "advancement" to emphasize progress.

an important milestone

Substitutes "development" with "milestone" to highlight a key point in a process.

a major turning point

Emphasizes the idea of a change in direction or course.

a crucial breakthrough

Highlights the concept of overcoming an obstacle.

a substantial leap forward

Emphasizes the magnitude of progress.

a game-changing event

Highlights the potential to revolutionize a situation or field.

a considerable evolution

Focuses on gradual change over time.

a pivotal moment

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the moment.

a remarkable shift

Emphasizes a notable change in direction or opinion.

an impactful transformation

Highlights the significant and lasting effects of a change.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant development" to introduce a new stage, event, or change that has an important impact. For example, "The discovery of the new drug is "a significant development" in the fight against cancer."

What phrases are similar to "a significant development"?

Alternatives to "a significant development" include "a noteworthy advancement", "an important milestone", or "a major turning point", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the situation.

Is "a significant development" formal or informal?

"A significant development" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in news, academic writing, and professional contexts. Simpler phrases might be better in informal settings.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant development"?

Use "a significant development" when you want to highlight the importance or impact of a particular event, change, or stage in a process. For instance, when reporting on a scientific breakthrough or a major policy shift.