achieving a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieving a breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing significant progress or advancements in a particular field, project, or situation. Example: "After months of research and experimentation, the team is finally achieving a breakthrough in cancer treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He pointed out that the nuclear negotiations with Iran have "a very real chance of achieving a breakthrough agreement".

The New Yorker

Hours earlier, Israeli and Palestinian leaders held their highest-level talks in more than two years without achieving a breakthrough.

The New York Times

Hours earlier, Israeli and Palestinian leaders held their highest-level talks in more than two years, without achieving a breakthrough toward ending their 31-month conflict.

The New York Times

The Chinese, who have served as host for each round of talks, have staked much of their diplomatic prestige on achieving a breakthrough.

The New York Times

Both reportedly had differences with details of Mr. Annan's mediation, but United Nations diplomats said they were hopeful of achieving a breakthrough.

The New York Times

Instead of achieving a breakthrough, Mr Roh found there was a wall of distrust that had still to be broken down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He achieves a breakthrough.

The New York Times - Arts

Quotas can help us achieve a breakthrough.

The New York Times

"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

He said that at Sochi, Medvedev tried to persuade Sargsian to achieve a breakthrough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "achieving a breakthrough", ensure the context clearly defines the area in which the progress is being made. For example, specify "achieving a breakthrough in medical research" rather than simply "achieving a breakthrough".

Common error

Avoid using "achieving a breakthrough" to describe minor or incremental improvements. Reserve it for instances of significant and impactful advancements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieving a breakthrough" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of attaining a significant advancement or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "achieving a breakthrough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes making significant progress or attaining a key advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance and proper usage across various contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. While generally neutral to formal, its use should be reserved for substantial progress rather than incremental improvements. Consider alternatives like "making a significant advancement" or "realizing a crucial advancement" to fine-tune the intended emphasis. The phrase's common presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realizing a crucial advancement

Emphasizes the realization of progress that is fundamentally important.

making a significant advancement

Emphasizes the progressive aspect and the importance of the progress made.

attaining a major success

Focuses on the successful outcome rather than the process of overcoming obstacles.

accomplishing a key milestone

Focuses on the achievement of a specific target or goal.

reaching a turning point

Highlights a moment of significant change or decision after the breakthrough.

scoring a major victory

Implies overcoming opposition or challenges to achieve a significant win.

engineering a pivotal development

Suggests a deliberate and strategic effort leading to a critical advancement.

gaining a decisive advantage

Highlights the acquisition of a beneficial position or edge.

pioneering a major innovation

Emphasizes the creation or introduction of something entirely new and impactful.

effecting a transformative change

Focuses on the profound and lasting impact of the change.

FAQs

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

You can use "achieving a breakthrough" to describe significant progress in a particular field, such as "The scientists are close to achieving a breakthrough in renewable energy".

What's the difference between "achieve a breakthrough" and "achieving a breakthrough"?

"Achieve a breakthrough" is an imperative or infinitive form, used as a command or to express a possibility. "Achieving a breakthrough" is a gerund, used as a noun, describing the act of making significant progress.

What can I say instead of "achieving a breakthrough"?

You can use alternatives like "making a significant advancement", "reaching a turning point", or "accomplishing a key milestone" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "achieved a breakthrough"?

Yes, "achieved a breakthrough" is grammatically correct. It's the past tense form of "achieve a breakthrough" and is used to describe a breakthrough that has already happened.