had a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

"had a breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a significant progress regarding a particular subject or task. For example: "After months of hard work, the team finally had a breakthrough in their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, I had a breakthrough.

The New York Times

Had a breakthrough moment?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He never had a breakthrough hit.

The New York Times

In March, the Hundreds had a breakthrough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally we thought we had a breakthrough.

The Guardian

Then Bill had a breakthrough idea.

The New York Times

Three years later, he said, he had a breakthrough.

The New York Times - Arts

Last November at the Country Music Association Awards they each had a breakthrough moment.

The New York Times - Arts

Then I had a breakthrough: Why did the people I believed in need me so badly?

The New Yorker

But after a year of follow-up, Mr. Bardenwerper and Jeff finally had a breakthrough.

The New York Times

In 2002, I had a breakthrough: I began to ski really fast.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had a breakthrough" when you want to emphasize a sudden and significant advancement or realization after a period of effort or difficulty. For example, "After months of research, the scientist finally "had a breakthrough" in understanding the disease".

Common error

Avoid using "had a breakthrough" to describe small improvements or gradual progress. A breakthrough implies a sudden, significant leap in understanding or capability, not a series of minor steps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a breakthrough" functions as a declaration of a significant advancement or realization. It signifies a pivotal moment where a previously insurmountable obstacle is overcome, leading to newfound understanding or capability. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had a breakthrough" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant advancement or realization. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. The phrase signifies a pivotal moment where a previously insurmountable obstacle is overcome, leading to newfound understanding or capability. While generally neutral in register, its impact can be tailored based on the specific context. It's important to distinguish a true breakthrough from incremental progress. Finally, remember to use alternatives such as "achieved a major success" or "gained a key insight" when appropriate for a more nuanced description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gained a key insight

Emphasizes understanding something previously unknown.

attained a critical understanding

Highlights the achievement of a deep and essential comprehension.

made a significant discovery

Highlights the act of finding something new or important.

realized a pivotal truth

Focuses on recognizing a crucial fact or principle.

achieved a major success

Focuses more on the successful outcome of an endeavor.

found a solution

Implies solving a problem.

experienced a turning point

Suggests a moment of significant change or redirection.

turned a corner

Indicates a positive change after a difficult period.

reached a milestone

Implies the completion of an important stage in a process.

made headway

Suggests steady progress.

FAQs

How can I use "had a breakthrough" in a sentence?

You can use "had a breakthrough" to describe a moment of significant progress or discovery, as in, "The team "had a breakthrough" in their research after discovering a new data analysis technique".

What are some alternatives to saying "had a breakthrough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "achieved a major success", "made a significant discovery", or "gained a key insight".

Is it correct to say "have a breakthrough" or should it always be in the past tense, like "had a breakthrough"?

Both are correct, depending on the context. "Have a breakthrough" suggests a present or future possibility, while "had a breakthrough" refers to a past event.

What is the difference between "had a breakthrough" and "made progress"?

"Had a breakthrough" implies a sudden and significant advancement, whereas "made progress" suggests a gradual improvement over time. They are not interchangeable in all contexts.