limited breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limited breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a breakthrough that is not extensive or significant, often in a scientific or technological context. Example: "The research team reported a limited breakthrough in their efforts to develop a more efficient solar panel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last month James Macintyre, a former producer on Question Time, revealed in the New Statesman that the programme's makers wanted Griffin on the panel two years ago, long before the BNP's limited breakthrough in the summer.

Independent

A quality improvement collaborative is an intensive project involving a combination of implementation strategies applied in a limited "breakthrough" time window.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Over the past two decades, the barriers limiting breakthrough strategic design development have been studied in much detail.

She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation

For column saturation, the limiting breakthrough curve is of the 'constant pattern' type.

Chemical Engineering Science

Opioids excluded were transmucous oral fentanyl, (use limited to breakthrough pain), intravenous fentanyl and remifentanil (used limited to diagnostic tests) and transdermal buprenorphine (not yet listed in the Hospital's Pharmacotherapy Guide).

BMC Palliative Care

Research into dealing with spilled oil is limited, and breakthroughs are scarce.

The Economist

For the most efficient hybrid sorbent catalyst (25 wt% NiO), the influence of CH4 flow rate and steam to carbon ratio (S/C) was also investigated, as well as its behavior during long-term cyclic operation of SESMR (30 cycles), where the H2 production time was just limited to pre-breakthrough period.

Chemical Engineering Science

He also recognized, as others are only now beginning to, that the sport was a tech-and-data laggard: its science-based breakthroughs were limited mostly to racquet and string materials; unlike baseball, it had no Bill James calculating analytics.

The New Yorker

However, prediction performance breakthroughs have been limited to short RNA sequences; improvements on the accuracy for longer RNA sequences have relied on multiple related sequences [ 15, 16], which are often not available, or profile based alignments [ 17, 18], which can only be effective for known structures.

BMC Genomics

first" rules aimed at limiting commercialization of breakthroughs to Europe, saying that such a policy could discourage inventors and hurt the economy.

The New York Times

This was a significant breakthrough as Europe has always limited its goal to becoming a purely economic superpower.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limited breakthrough", specify the area or aspect in which the breakthrough is limited to provide context and clarity. For example, "a limited breakthrough in battery technology".

Common error

Avoid using "limited breakthrough" when describing substantial advancements. Reserve it for situations where progress is genuine but constrained in scope or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited breakthrough" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "limited" modifies the noun "breakthrough". It indicates that the breakthrough is not complete, extensive, or fully realized. Ludwig AI confirms that this is acceptable for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "limited breakthrough" is a useful expression for describing progress that is real but not fully comprehensive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for use, particularly in scientific, news, and business contexts. While not as impactful as a "major breakthrough", it accurately conveys that certain restrictions on the achievement exist. When using this phrase, remember to specify what aspects are limited. Alternatives such as "modest advancement" and "partial success" can provide similar meaning. Be sure to avoid overstating the significance of the advancement when using "limited breakthrough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited progress

Highlights restrictions on advancement.

minor advancement

Emphasizes the small size of the progress made.

modest advancement

Focuses on the degree of progress achieved, downplaying the 'breakthrough' aspect.

partial success

Highlights the achievement of some objectives, acknowledging incompleteness.

small step forward

Emphasizes the modest nature of the advancement.

incremental progress

Emphasizes slow, steady gains rather than a sudden leap forward.

restricted achievement

Highlights constraints on the accomplishment.

marginal improvement

Suggests a small, possibly insignificant, positive change.

qualified success

Indicates achievement that is subject to certain conditions or limitations.

contained success

Implies success confined within specific boundaries.

FAQs

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

You can use "limited breakthrough" to describe a situation where some progress has been made, but the impact or scope of the advancement is restricted. For example, "The study reported a "limited breakthrough" in the treatment of the disease".

What are some alternatives to "limited breakthrough"?

Alternatives to "limited breakthrough" include "modest advancement", "partial success", or "incremental progress". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "limited breakthrough" in formal writing?

Yes, "limited breakthrough" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or technical contexts where precise language is important. However, ensure that the limitations are clearly defined.

How does "limited breakthrough" differ from "major breakthrough"?

"Limited breakthrough" suggests a partial or restricted advancement, while "major breakthrough" implies a significant and widespread impact. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the progress achieved.