breaks new ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaks new ground" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is innovative or pioneering. For example, "This new proposal breaks new ground in renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It breaks new ground," Gov. George E. Pataki said at the news conference.

The New York Times

But the Cologne verdict breaks new ground.

The Economist

The legislation also breaks new ground.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, Angels breaks new ground for Keyes.

The Guardian - Books

Still, experts say the child pornography law breaks new ground.

The New York Times

"This deal breaks new ground in the English game," said United's chief executive, David Gill.

Independent

That is fun to behold, but it hardly breaks new ground.

The New Yorker

"This deal breaks new ground in the English game," said United chief executive David Gill.

Independent

"Bradbury breaks new ground" in the tale, including "a surprising final turn toward the elegiac".

The New York Times - Books

There are many ways to decorate a fish, but this one breaks new ground.

The New York Times - Food

Today, this page's commitment to breaking new ground breaks new ground.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific area or field the innovation is occurring in to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "breaks new ground" is impactful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "pioneer a path" or "make breakthroughs" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaks new ground" functions as a verb phrase typically used to describe an action that is innovative, pioneering, and unprecedented. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Many examples show it being used in various contexts like, "This deal breaks new ground in the English game".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breaks new ground" is a versatile and widely used expression to describe something innovative and unprecedented. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and very common, as seen in numerous examples from diverse sources like news, scientific publications, and formal business documents. It emphasizes originality and significant departures from existing norms, making it a powerful way to highlight advancements. When using "breaks new ground", ensure the context clearly defines the area of innovation. While highly effective, avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms such as "pioneer a path" or "make breakthroughs" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make breakthroughs

This suggests achieving significant advancements or discoveries.

innovate

This is a direct synonym focusing on the act of introducing something new.

pioneer a path

This alternative emphasizes the act of initiating or leading the way in a particular direction.

push the boundaries

This emphasizes extending limits and exceeding conventional standards.

introduce innovations

This alternative highlights the introduction of multiple new elements or methods.

set a precedent

This focuses on establishing an example for future actions or decisions.

establish a new standard

This emphasizes setting up a novel benchmark of performance or quality.

chart a new course

This alternative is about defining or planning a new route or method.

open up new vistas

This suggests creating new opportunities or perspectives.

initiate advancements

This suggests starting or beginning the process of making progress.

FAQs

How can I use "breaks new ground" in a sentence?

You can use "breaks new ground" to describe something innovative or unprecedented. For example, "This research "breaks new ground" in the field of medicine."

What is a synonym for "breaks new ground"?

Synonyms for "breaks new ground" include "pioneer a path", "innovate", or "make breakthroughs".

Is it correct to say "breaks new grounds"?

No, the correct phrase is "breaks new ground". The term "ground" is used in a figurative, abstract sense and does not require pluralization.

What's the difference between "breaks new ground" and "pushes the boundaries"?

"Breaks new ground" typically refers to initiating something entirely novel, whereas "pushes the boundaries" implies extending existing limits. While both suggest innovation, the former is about creation, and the latter is about expansion.