a significant experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that has had a meaningful impact on someone’s life or perspective. Example: "Traveling abroad for the first time was a significant experience that changed my outlook on life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

What's a significant experience that has affected you over the past year?

The New York Times

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken or ethical dilemma you have faced.

The New York Times

A second step is to recognise that a significant experience in many children's lives is one of victimisation, in some form or other.

The Guardian - Opinion

They had shared a significant experience and could not console one another or even recognize people's extraordinary efforts to revive the victim.

Harvard Business Review

If her 2012 debut, "Born to Die," felt detached from human experience, "Lust for Life" proves that five years spent serenading the void is a significant experience in and of itself.

The Washington Post

Each student has particular educational and professional goals, but study abroad can be a significant experience for students preparing for an academic career or for those preparing for parish ministries.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"So when we go to New York or South Africa with students, we give them a very significant experience".

The Guardian

Incremental learning is a style of learning where the learner updates its model of the environment where a new significant experience becomes available.

Journal of Big Data

In Watson, a CPA with significant experience and expertise was paid a smaller salary than recent college graduates.

Forbes

Ralph Smyth, transport campaign manager at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is also a barrister with significant experience in judicial review.

The Guardian

Kerry praised Russia, "a country with significant experience in transporting and securing nuclear material", for taking the material out of Iran and providing natural uranium in exchange.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "a significant experience", be specific about its impact. Detail how it changed your perspective, skills, or understanding.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that an experience was significant. Instead, illustrate its importance with concrete examples and personal reflections to convey its true impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant experience" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant experience" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an event or situation that has had a lasting impact. Ludwig AI validates this usage across various contexts. This phrase is found most frequently in news, academic, and scientific sources, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you illustrate the specific impact of the experience with concrete examples. Consider using alternatives such as "a noteworthy event" or "a memorable occasion" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noteworthy event

This alternative focuses on the event's importance or interest.

a memorable occasion

This alternative emphasizes the lasting impression the experience creates.

a profound encounter

This alternative highlights the depth and impact of the experience.

a transformative journey

This alternative suggests the experience leads to personal growth or change.

a pivotal moment

This alternative indicates the experience is a turning point.

an impactful episode

This alternative highlights how the experience influenced or affected someone.

a formative period

This alternative implies the experience shaped one's character or development.

a life-altering event

This emphasizes the permanent and significant change caused by the event.

an unforgettable experience

This underlines the uniqueness and lasting impact.

an extraordinary event

This highlights the exceptional and remarkable nature of the experience.

FAQs

How can I effectively describe "a significant experience" in writing?

Focus on the specific details of the experience and explain how it affected you personally. Use vivid language and provide concrete examples to illustrate its impact.

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant experience"?

You can use alternatives like "a noteworthy event", "a memorable occasion", or "a profound encounter" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very significant experience"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "very significant experience" can be seen as slightly redundant. Consider using a stronger adjective or rephrasing to emphasize the impact, such as "a transformative experience" or "a profoundly impactful event".

How does "a significant experience" differ from a regular experience?

"A significant experience" implies a lasting impact or a notable change in perspective or understanding, while a regular experience is simply an event or occurrence without necessarily having such a profound effect.