lack of breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there has been no significant progress or advancement in a particular area or field. Example: "Despite extensive research, there has been a lack of breakthrough in finding a cure for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For the first time in almost three decades there will be no million-album-selling artist in the UK in 2013, barring the very unexpected, as a lack of breakthrough records and the rise of streaming services such as Spotify hit sales this year.

The Guardian - Music

Beset by piracy, CD-burners and a lack of breakthrough acts, music sales have declined worldwide for three straight years.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The absence of strong public government leadership contributed to the lack of breakthroughs against terrorists" in Greece, the State Department said in its annual terrorist report.

The New York Times

Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of health research for the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, said that although the entire industry had suffered from a decline in productivity, Pfizer's lack of breakthroughs was notable given its research budget.

The New York Times

Mark Fishman of Novartis, a Swiss company, says that after a similar lack of breakthroughs in genomics "we've gone back to the brute-force method of screening millions of candidates that kill a bug and then evaluating them for safety in humans".There are signs that the pipeline at the larger firms is running dry.

The Economist

Regardless, as there is a lack of breakthroughs in cancer screening, analysis of tongue coating microbiota could be an innovative source for gastric cancer screening and diagnosis.

BioMed Research International

There was a lack of true breakthrough titles to follow Akira, which eventually grossed $80m globally.

The Guardian - Film

He accused the United States of maintaining a "hostile policy" and blamed it for the lack of a breakthrough.

The New York Times

One positive is the lack of a breakthrough for the BNP, who fielded more candidates than they have for a generation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Much has been written about Lucy as a feminist or antifeminist icon (and her lack of a breakthrough in Hollywood was undoubtedly due to sexism), but that doesn't totally explain her success on TV.

The New York Times - Books

Con 40.1%, Lab 33.1%, LD 17%, BNP 4.8%, Ukip 3.5% The Tories need to make strong gains against the Lib Dems in the west country, to make up for a likely lack of a breakthrough in the north.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of breakthrough", ensure the context clearly defines what area or field the breakthrough is expected in for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of breakthrough" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler phrases like "no progress" or "no advancement" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of breakthrough" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the absence of a significant advancement or progress in a specific area. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of breakthrough" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies the absence of significant progress or advancement in a particular field. While not exceptionally common, it appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Alternatives such as "absence of progress" or "failure to advance" can be used to convey similar meanings. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the area where the breakthrough is lacking. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase is commonly used to express concern or critique regarding the absence of expected advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to achieve a breakthrough

More explicitly states the failure to reach a significant advancement.

absence of progress

Emphasizes the complete absence of forward movement.

failure to advance

Highlights the inability to move forward or make headway.

lack of advancement

Focuses on the absence of progress in terms of position or status.

no major progress

Similar to "no significant development", emphasizing the absence of important forward steps.

no significant development

Focuses on the absence of noteworthy progress or change.

stalled progress

Indicates that progress has been halted or stopped.

absence of innovation

Highlights the lack of new ideas or methods being introduced.

deadlock

Implies a situation where progress is impossible due to opposing forces.

impasse

Similar to deadlock, suggesting a situation with no apparent way forward.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of breakthrough" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of breakthrough" to describe situations where significant progress or advancement is absent, such as "Despite extensive research, there was a lack of breakthrough in finding a cure for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "lack of breakthrough"?

Alternatives include "absence of progress", "failure to advance", or "no significant development", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "lack of breakthrough" or "absence of breakthrough"?

"Lack of breakthrough" and "absence of breakthrough" are largely interchangeable, although "lack of" may be slightly more common in general usage. Both convey the same meaning of something missing.

What does "lack of breakthrough" imply?

"Lack of breakthrough" implies that despite efforts or expectations, there has been no significant or noteworthy advancement in a particular area or situation. It suggests stagnation or a failure to overcome obstacles.