Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
breakthrough rate
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "breakthrough rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to statistics, research, or performance metrics, often referring to the rate at which significant progress or discoveries are made. Example: "The breakthrough rate in cancer research has significantly increased over the past decade, leading to new treatment options."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
The annual breakthrough rate through 7 years ranged from 0.2%to2.3%3% per year; the estimated cumulative event rate was 6.5%.
Science
Comparison of the observed average annual breakthrough rate with the age-adjusted expected annual incidence rate of varicella in unvaccinated children corresponded to an estimated vaccine efficacy of 93.8% to 94.6%.
Science
Results showed that, over the course of 100 pore volumes (PV) for 6 months, mZVI displayed the lowest TCE breakthrough rate (0.0026 PV−1) and highest TCE removal capacity (43.72 mg) but the poorest EE value (25 40%) in saline groundwater.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
CONCLUSION: Although a weekly dapsone regimen of 4 mg/kg produced less hematologic toxicity than a daily regimen of 2 mg/kg, this advantage was offset by a trend toward higher breakthrough rates of PCP.
Academia
To date, no convincing trial addresses this clinically challenging question, likely because of the very low breakthrough rates observed [ 4– 6].
Science
Relapse and breakthrough rates for the 12- and 24-week groups were low and consistent with those observed for the same faldaprevir dose in SILEN-C1 (14).
Overall, the barrier to resistance is lower in genotype 1a than in genotype 1b strains, resulting in higher breakthrough rates in the former [ 17].
Science
45 46 Nevertheless, in vivo emergence of resistant mutants conferring cross-resistance to polymerase inhibitors sofosbuvir and mericitabine has been described, 47 and combination of daclatasvir with protease inhibitors was associated with significant viral breakthrough rates.
Science
When posaconazole is used prophylactically, the performance of galactomannan screening tests is impacted by the very low pretest probability of invasive fungal infection (IFI); in other words, successful prophylaxis results in low IFI breakthrough rates.
Science
In the elderly population, however, both Western vaccines show relatively good boosting responses, with relatively low breakthrough rates., Nevertheless, older persons (aged > 60 y) face the risk of becoming seronegative earlier because of the lower antibody titer achieved immediately after the booster.
A pharmacy-dispensing analysis in which 10 390 infants who received palivizumab were evaluated showed that when palivizumab compliance was defined as dosing gaps of ≤35 d, RSVH breakthrough rates were higher in noncompliant vs. compliant infants (1.4% vs 3.1%; odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI: 1.4, 3.5]; P < 0.001).
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing medical or scientific advancements, use "breakthrough rate" to quantify the speed or frequency of significant discoveries or improvements. It provides a clear metric for evaluating progress.
Common error
Avoid assuming that a high "breakthrough rate" directly implies the effectiveness of a specific intervention without controlling for other contributing factors. Always consider potential confounding variables.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "breakthrough rate" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence to quantify the frequency or pace of significant advancements. Ludwig examples show it used to measure progress in areas like vaccine effectiveness and medical treatment.
Frequent in
Science
75%
Academia
12%
News & Media
8%
Less common in
Formal & Business
2%
Encyclopedias
1%
Wiki
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "breakthrough rate" is a noun phrase used to quantify the frequency of significant advancements, predominantly in scientific and medical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it is valuable for precisely measuring progress and assessing effectiveness. When using "breakthrough rate", avoid implying causation without considering other variables. Alternative phrases include "rate of advancement" and "pace of progress". The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and academic sources, indicating its formal and technical nature.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
rate of advancement
Replaces "breakthrough" with "advancement", highlighting the progress made, and keeps "rate" to indicate the speed of this progress.
percentage of breakthroughs
Expresses breakthrough as part of a whole, quantified using a percentage.
success frequency
Replaces "breakthrough" with "success" focusing on successful outcomes, and "rate" with "frequency" emphasizing how often successes occur.
frequency of discovery
Focuses on the act of discovering new things, replacing "breakthrough" with "discovery" and "rate" with "frequency".
pace of progress
Emphasizes the speed at which progress is happening, replacing both "breakthrough" and "rate" with more general terms.
incidence of innovation
Highlights the occurrence of new ideas and methods, using "incidence" to convey a similar meaning to "rate".
acceleration of progress
Emphasizes the increasing speed of advancements, adding a sense of dynamism.
probability of success
Shifts the focus to the likelihood of achieving success, rather than the rate at which it happens.
degree of advancement
Focuses on how far something has progressed, rather than the rate at which it did.
level of achievement
Highlights the height of the accomplishment, and not the rate in which it happened
FAQs
How can I use "breakthrough rate" in a sentence?
You can use "breakthrough rate" to describe the frequency of significant advancements in a field. For example: "The "breakthrough rate" in cancer treatment has increased in recent years due to advancements in immunotherapy."
What is the difference between "success rate" and "breakthrough rate"?
"Success rate" refers to the proportion of attempts that achieve a desired outcome, while "breakthrough rate" specifically refers to the frequency of significant or transformative advancements.
What are some alternative ways to express "breakthrough rate"?
You can use phrases like "rate of advancement", "pace of progress", or "frequency of discovery" depending on the context.
In what contexts is it appropriate to use "breakthrough rate"?
"Breakthrough rate" is suitable in contexts where you want to quantify the speed or frequency of significant advancements, particularly in fields like science, medicine, and technology.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested