a significant lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a notable advantage or head start in a competition, project, or situation. Example: "After the first round of the competition, she had a significant lead over her opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If neither group has a significant lead, then the leading members of each group are candidate sources.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The latest polls show Republican Marco Rubio leading Charlie Crist slightly, with both having a significant lead over Kendrick Meek.

Huffington Post

"Apple has a significant lead.

The New York Times

Opinion polls show Hillary Clinton consolidating a significant lead.

The Guardian

Polls shows Ms. Harris with a significant lead over Ms. Sanchez.

The New York Times

Initial polls suggested he had a chance, even a significant lead.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Maurice comes off the turn with a significant lead, that's it.

The New York Times - Sports

Several recent polls suggest that he now has a significant lead among primary voters.

The New York Times

Kevin Pursglove, a spokesman for eBay, said Paypal still held a significant lead.

The New York Times

Since the investigation began, Ms. Lingle has taken a significant lead.

The New York Times

"As a result, although iPod has a significant lead, this game is far from over".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant lead", ensure the context clearly indicates what the lead is over. Be specific to enhance clarity. For example, instead of saying "The company has a significant lead", specify "The company has a significant lead in market share over its competitors".

Common error

Avoid using "a significant lead" when the advantage is marginal or unsubstantiated. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant lead" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "lead". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing the extent of an advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant lead" correctly describes a notable advantage and is frequently used across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, especially within news and media. When writing with this phrase, ensure to clearly define the scope of the lead and avoid overstating its importance. Alternatives such as ""a substantial advantage"" or ""a considerable head start"" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember that maintaining accuracy and relevance will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant upper hand

Highlights the upper hand with the adjective "significant". This alternative has a semantic similarity of 96.

a substantial advantage

Replaces "lead" with "advantage", focusing on the benefit rather than the positional aspect. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 95.

a notable advantage

Similar to "a substantial advantage" but with a slightly different nuance. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 94.

a considerable head start

Uses "head start" to emphasize the temporal aspect of being ahead. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 92.

a commanding position

Highlights the strength and control implied by having a lead. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 90.

a clear upper hand

Emphasizes having control and influence due to the lead. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 89.

a decisive edge

Emphasizes the impact of the lead on determining an outcome. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 88.

a marked superiority

Focuses on the higher quality or performance contributing to the lead. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 87.

a dominant performance

Highlights a pattern of high performance leading to the lead. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 85.

a comfortable margin

Indicates the lead is large enough to provide security. This alternative has a semantic similarity of 83.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant lead" to describe a considerable advantage in various contexts. For example, "The candidate has "a significant lead" in the polls" or "The company established "a significant lead" in the development of new technology".

What are some alternatives to "a significant lead"?

Alternatives include "a substantial advantage", "a considerable head start", or "a commanding position" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "significant lead" or "considerable lead"?

"Significant lead" and "considerable lead" are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, though "significant" might subtly emphasize the importance or impact of the lead, and "considerable" the extent of it. In this sense, "a significant lead" suggests more importance or consequence than "a considerable lead".

How does "a significant lead" compare to "a slight lead"?

"A significant lead" indicates a notable advantage, while "a slight lead" suggests a small or marginal advantage. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum in terms of the magnitude of the lead. One indicates a clear advantage, whereas the other implies near equality. If you are looking for stronger alternatives to slight read, consider "a thin lead".