ground breaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ground breaking" is correct and usable in written English, although it is typically written as "groundbreaking" as a single word.
You can use it to describe something that is innovative, pioneering, or significantly different from what has come before. Example: "The scientist's groundbreaking research has opened new avenues in cancer treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

So not exactly ground breaking news then.

TechCrunch

It's 'live' now, but nothing ground breaking.

TechCrunch

Bernth motions towards the set: "The Killing is ground breaking.

BBC

Yet it's offerings were seen as novel, even ground breaking.

TechCrunch

It was really ground breaking.

Huffington Post

"Lybrate's concept is ground breaking.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Though it's become a cliché, they were ground-breaking.

Independent

Benedict's choice was unquestionably ground-breaking.

The Economist

"I'm not a ground-breaking genius.

Independent

So much for ground-breaking.

The Guardian

It was a ground-breaking book.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ground breaking" to describe advancements or innovations that significantly alter established norms or practices. It's most effective when highlighting the impact of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "ground breaking" to describe minor improvements or changes. Reserve it for developments that truly revolutionize or redefine their respective fields.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ground breaking" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something is innovative and significantly different. Ludwig provides examples where it describes research, concepts, and technologies, highlighting their novel nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "ground breaking" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe something innovative and impactful. Ludwig's analysis, as well as the confirmation of its usability by Ludwig AI, indicates that the phrase functions as an adjective, often found in news, wiki and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's most effective when applied to developments with significant transformative potential. Alternatives such as "pioneering" and "revolutionary" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. When writing, avoid overusing "ground breaking" for minor improvements and reserve it for truly transformative changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pioneering

Focuses on the act of being the first to do something, emphasizing innovation and leadership.

revolutionary

Highlights the transformative and impactful nature of something, suggesting a significant change.

innovative

Emphasizes the novelty and creativity involved in a new development or idea.

path breaking

Similar to pioneering, but with a stronger emphasis on creating new opportunities or directions.

unprecedented

Indicates that something has never happened before, highlighting its uniqueness and originality.

trailblazing

Implies boldly creating a new path or approach, often in a challenging environment.

state-of-the-art

Focuses on the use of the newest technology or methods.

cutting-edge

Implies being at the forefront of progress or development, often in technology or science.

world-class

Highlights exceptional quality or performance on a global scale.

ground-gaining

Suggests advancement and progress, subtly shifting the focus from innovation to achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "ground breaking" in a sentence?

Use "ground breaking" to describe something innovative, pioneering, or significantly different from what has come before. For instance, "The scientist's ground breaking research has opened new avenues in cancer treatment."

What are some alternatives to "ground breaking"?

You can use alternatives like "pioneering", "revolutionary", or "innovative" depending on the context.

Is it correct to write "ground breaking" as one word or two?

While both forms are sometimes used, it's more common and grammatically preferred to write it as a single word: "groundbreaking".

What distinguishes "ground breaking" from "innovative"?

"Innovative" generally refers to something new or improved, while "ground breaking" implies a more fundamental shift, creating entirely new possibilities or directions. Ground breaking advancements are inherently "innovative" but not all innovations are ground breaking.