critical development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an important or essential stage in a process of growth or progress, often in contexts like business, technology, or personal growth. Example: "The team is currently focused on a critical development that will enhance the product's functionality and user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a critical development.

The New York Times

Michael provided the critical development space and time for these issues to be addressed.

The Guardian

The International Subversives' incursions into Nortel turned out to be a critical development for Operation Weather.

The New Yorker

Winter wheat and cereal aphid are both in critical development stages in February in the region.

Nature

One of the best explanations of this critical development was stated by Paul E. Waggoner in the experiment station's report.

The New York Times

Increasingly, American businesses see that making good on these investments requires that their business models address critical development issues.

The Guardian

The shelling along the Turkish-Syrian border is a critical development.

The New York Times

However, the intensity of people's feelings about a manager's flaws tends to drown out other, potentially critical development needs.

Harvard Business Review

These results are consistent with a prolonged period of critical development for this skill.

Epilepsy & Behavior

Testaverde's successful return to live action with his surgically repaired Achilles' tendon was the most critical development for the Jets' fortunes.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a critical development in accountability and should introduce into the law of England and Wales a culture of corporate accountability that has, so far, been absent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing progress in a project or initiative, use "critical development" to underscore its importance to the overall success. For instance: "Securing funding was a "critical development" for the project's continuation."

Common error

Avoid using "critical development" as a generic term for any progress. Instead, provide context that explains why the development is critical. For example, instead of saying 'The new software update is a "critical development"', specify 'The new software update is a "critical development" because it resolves a major security vulnerability'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical development" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'critical' modifies 'development', indicating a stage or event of utmost importance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples, highlighting its role in emphasizing the significance of a particular progression or advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical development" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific advancement or stage in a process. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, its overuse without quantifiable context should be avoided. Alternatives such as "crucial advancement" or "vital progress" can be used depending on the specific context to provide further granularity. The phrase is generally considered to be neutral to professional, making it suitable for formal and professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial advancement

Emphasizes progress and importance, similar to the original phrase but highlights the 'advancement' aspect more distinctly.

vital progress

Highlights the necessity of the progress, focusing on its life-sustaining or essential nature.

key breakthrough

Suggests a significant discovery or leap forward, emphasizing the 'breakthrough' aspect.

pivotal moment

Focuses on the turning point or decisive nature of the development, rather than the development itself.

essential evolution

Highlights the gradual and necessary changes occurring over time.

significant milestone

Indicates a notable achievement or stage in a process, emphasizing its importance as a marker.

fundamental shift

Emphasizes a basic or radical change in approach or understanding.

major turning point

Stresses the importance of the moment as a change in direction or outcome.

indispensable evolution

Highlights that the evolution is something that cannot be forgone or neglected.

decisive advancement

Highlights how the progress decides or determines something, has that level of impact.

FAQs

How can I use "critical development" in a sentence?

You can use "critical development" to highlight a stage or event that is essential for progress or success. For example, "The approval of the new drug is a "critical development" in the fight against the disease".

What are some alternatives to "critical development"?

Alternatives to "critical development" include "crucial advancement", "vital progress", or "key breakthrough", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "critical development" and "important development"?

"Critical development" implies that the development is essential and indispensable, while "important development" simply means it holds significance. "Critical development" carries a stronger sense of necessity.

What makes a development "critical"?

A development is "critical" when its outcome significantly impacts the success, viability, or direction of a project, process, or situation. It often addresses a fundamental need or resolves a significant obstacle.