an important development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important development" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a significant change or progress in a particular field or situation. Example: "The recent findings in renewable energy technology represent an important development in our efforts to combat climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was an important development.

The Economist

It's been an important development.

The Guardian

Can we identify an important development need?

Harvard Business Review

So that was an important development.

Yale University

But even so, this is an important development.

The New York Times

"We think this is an important development," Mr. O'Dwyer said.

The New York Times

"It's an interesting development – and an important development," he said.

The Guardian

The development of national, voluntary standards is an important development.

Columbia University

In England an important development came with the heraldic visitations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The meeting is "an important development in trying to defuse the current crisis," Mr. Rubin said.

The New York Times

The ruling, while an important development for the brand-name manufacturers, was bittersweet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an important development" when you want to emphasize the significance of progress, change, or innovation in a specific area. Ensure the context clearly indicates why the development is considered important.

Common error

Avoid using "an important development" when the change is minor or lacks substantial impact. Overusing the phrase can diminish its effectiveness and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important development" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes a noun, emphasizing the significance of the change or progress it represents. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is commonly used across various fields to highlight notable advancements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an important development" is a versatile and commonly used expression to highlight significant progress or change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, especially in news, academia, and scientific domains. While the phrase is frequently used, remember to provide sufficient context to underscore why the development is indeed "important" to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives like "a significant advancement" or "a crucial breakthrough" can be used to add nuance. Keep in mind overuse can reduce its impact. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advancement

Focuses on the degree of progress, suggesting a notable step forward.

a crucial breakthrough

Emphasizes the decisive nature of the development, highlighting its critical impact.

a noteworthy milestone

Highlights the development as a significant point in a progression.

a key innovation

Focuses on the novelty and inventiveness of the development.

a major turning point

Suggests a significant shift in direction or circumstances.

a considerable step forward

Emphasizes the magnitude of the progress made.

a substantial improvement

Highlights the betterment or enhancement resulting from the development.

a ground-breaking achievement

Suggests the development is innovative and sets a new precedent.

a pivotal moment

Emphasizes the critical and decisive nature of the event.

a game-changing event

Highlights the transformative impact of the development.

FAQs

How can I use "an important development" in a sentence?

You can use "an important development" to highlight a significant change or progress in a particular context. For example, "The discovery of this new material is "an important development" in the field of engineering".

What are some alternatives to "an important development"?

Alternatives include "a significant advancement", "a crucial breakthrough", or "a noteworthy milestone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to explain why a development is "important" when using the phrase?

While not always grammatically necessary, it's often helpful to provide context to clarify the significance of the development for your audience. This ensures they understand the impact and relevance.

What's the difference between "an important development" and "an interesting development"?

"An important development" suggests that the change has substantial significance or impact, while "an interesting development" simply means it's intriguing or noteworthy. The former implies greater consequence than the latter.