achieved a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

"achieved a breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something succeeding after a difficult period of effort. For example, "After months of research, the team achieved a breakthrough and successfully invented a revolutionary new device."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The UN working group achieved a breakthrough today".

The Guardian

A few years ago, engineers at Keurig achieved a breakthrough of sorts.

The New York Times

Two years ago, Jalali achieved a breakthrough when he made a laser out of silicon.

MIT Technology Review

"I know people are disappointed that we have not yet achieved a breakthrough," Mrs. Clinton said.

The New York Times

When Mr Sharif was last in office, in 1999, he achieved a breakthrough in relations with India.

The Economist

Whether the Allies' projected final offensive, intended for November 14, would have achieved a breakthrough can never be known.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Six months ago, Sapientis gained national visibility when its national coalition for educational reform and excellence (CECE) achieved a breakthrough by gaining government support for major educational reform.

Harvard University

September 22, 2011 Berkeley Bioengineering Assistant Professor Irina Conboy has achieved a breakthrough in regenerative medicine, reprogramming muscles to form new muscle cells.

University of California, Berkeley

The award-winning Sky Arts has achieved a breakthrough with smart branding, married with regular strands, such as the Book Programme.

The Guardian

"Today we achieved a breakthrough understanding on two issues that were holding up our civil nuclear cooperation," Obama said on Sunday.

The Guardian

All the world championship titles were won by American and European teams until 1976, when Brazil achieved a breakthrough victory at the World Team Olympiad in Monte Carlo.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "achieved a breakthrough", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the breakthrough and its importance. Be specific about what was accomplished and why it is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "achieved a breakthrough" for minor accomplishments. Reserve it for situations where there is a genuine and substantial advancement that represents a significant leap forward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieved a breakthrough" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject has successfully made a significant advancement or discovery. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science & Research

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "achieved a breakthrough" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to describe a significant advancement or discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure that the accomplishment is substantial and represents a genuine leap forward, and to be specific about the breakthrough's nature and importance. Alternatives such as "made a significant advance" or "accomplished a major feat" may be used depending on the context. Avoid exaggerating the significance of minor accomplishments by using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a significant advance

Emphasizes the forward movement and progress made.

accomplished a major feat

Highlights the difficulty and magnitude of the achievement.

attained a critical milestone

Focuses on reaching a specific, important stage in a process.

realized a key advancement

Stresses the element of realization and the progressive nature of the development.

experienced a turning point

Indicates a moment of significant change or shift in direction.

reached a new level

Implies progression and improvement, focusing on elevation.

pioneered a new approach

Highlights innovation and the introduction of something novel.

overcame a major obstacle

Focuses on the act of successfully surpassing a significant challenge.

made headway

Suggests gradual progress, often against resistance.

scaled new heights

Evokes a sense of ambition and the surpassing of previous limits.

FAQs

How can I use "achieved a breakthrough" in a sentence?

Use "achieved a breakthrough" to describe the moment of a significant development or discovery, for example: "The scientists "achieved a breakthrough" in cancer research."

What are some alternatives to "achieved a breakthrough"?

Alternatives include "made a significant advance", "accomplished a major feat", or "attained a critical milestone", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "achieved a breakthrough" in formal writing?

Yes, "achieved a breakthrough" is suitable for formal writing when describing a significant accomplishment or discovery, particularly in scientific, academic, or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "achieved a breakthrough" and "made progress"?

"Achieved a breakthrough" indicates a sudden, significant advancement, whereas "made progress" implies a gradual movement forward. They are not interchangeable; "achieved a breakthrough" implies a more substantial result.