a substantial advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial advance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant improvement or progress in a particular area or field. Example: "The research team made a substantial advance in the development of renewable energy technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If efficacious, a treatment regime of maintenance azithromycin to reduce the frequency of pulmonary exacerbations in Indigenous children with CSLD, including non-CF bronchiectasis is attractive as it is simple to administer It could substantially improve the prognosis of Indigenous children with bronchiectasis and would be a substantial advance in the treatment of these infants and children.

BMC Pediatrics

That was a substantial advance for the party in 2005.

The Guardian

This gives her work a substantial advance on that of most filmmakers.

The New Yorker

Oxford said that he got a "substantial advance," according to The Associated Press.

The New York Times

This study represents a substantial advance and emphasises the potential for bioengineered organ replacement in future regenerative therapies".

The Guardian

Nonetheless, these analyses represent a substantial advance in knowledge about several measures of biodiversity inside versus outside protected areas.

Nature

Considering the difficulty in controlling localized 3D wave packets, Lahav and colleagues' results constitute a substantial advance.

Nature

Although there was some good economic news, investors still chose to take profits from a substantial advance on Monday and from a two-month fall rally.

The New York Times

Robert S. Miller, president of Hyperion, said of the contract: "It will be a substantial advance because the potential was substantial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The work seems to represent a "very substantial advance" in the understanding of these materials, says IBM's Theis.

MIT Technology Review

As there is no evidence that 20S proteasomes have ever been lost by free-living organisms, this implies that they are a very substantial advance on HslV, the patchy distribution of which among negibacteria suggests several losses – perhaps you might attribute it solely to lateral gene transfer!

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a substantial advance", ensure it's followed by a prepositional phrase (e.g., "in", "for") to specify the area where the advance has been made. This adds clarity and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial advance" when the improvement is only incremental or marginal. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial advance" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or direct object. It typically describes a significant improvement or progress in a specific field. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial advance" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant improvement or progress in a particular field. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal writing. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to highlight the importance of an achievement. It is advisable to specify the area of advance with a prepositional phrase and avoid overstating the significance of minor improvements. Related phrases include "a significant leap", "a major breakthrough", and "a considerable improvement", each with slightly different nuances. With numerous examples from authoritative sources, its widespread usage and semantic clarity make it an effective way to communicate notable progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A considerable improvement

Focuses on the positive change or betterment that has occurred.

A significant leap

Emphasizes a larger, more noticeable degree of progress than "advance".

A great stride

Emphasizes significant progress.

A notable step forward

Highlights the act of moving ahead, suggesting positive momentum.

A major breakthrough

Suggests a sudden and important discovery that removes a significant obstacle.

A giant stride

Implies a large and impactful step in development or achievement.

A quantum leap

Suggests an extraordinary advance or jump, not necessarily incremental.

A marked progression

Implies a gradual but noticeable forward movement or development.

A transformative development

Highlights the potential to cause a major shift.

A valuable addition

Focuses on the benefit or value that the advance brings.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial advance" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial advance" to describe significant progress in a particular field. For example, "This study represents a "substantial advance" in cancer research."

What can I say instead of "a substantial advance"?

Alternatives include "a significant improvement", "a major breakthrough", or "a notable step forward", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial advance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial advance" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. It conveys a sense of significant progress or improvement.

What's the difference between "a substantial advance" and "a slight improvement"?

"A substantial advance" implies a significant and noticeable improvement, while "a slight improvement" suggests a minor or marginal change. The former indicates a major leap forward, whereas the latter indicates a small step.