lines of development

USAGE SUMMARY

'lines of development' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about an area of study (like a research topic or a field of study) that could be broken down into several distinct paths for further exploration. For example, "The professor presented several lines of development for research into the effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The cost of illness methodology used here is typically used in exploratory phases, where the aim is to develop and chose between different lines of development.

BMC Pediatrics

In this classic of statistical mathematical theory, Harald Cramér joins the two major lines of development in the field: while British and American statisticians were developing the science of statistical inference, French and Russian probabilitists transformed the classical calculus of probability into a rigorous and pure mathematical theory.

Princeton University

Two lines of development may be traced in this period.

Britannica

This book brings together these two lines of development.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This bookbrings together these two lines of development.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Adam's genius lay in his synthesis of these various lines of development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Society produces its managerial talent through the first line of development; leaders emerge through the second.

Harvard Business Review

The figurative arts in Italy during the period 1250 1350 have a strong line of development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"To make the people happy, that's the bottom line of development," he said.

The New York Times

Zelda repeatedly complains that she is living in a circle, with no line of development in her life.

The New York Times

Sangam continues the line of development Seim introduced with 2000's Different Rivers and 2002's free-jazzier The Source.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multiple, distinct areas of focus within a larger project or field, use "lines of development" to clearly delineate these separate but related efforts. For example, "Our research team is pursuing several "lines of development" including data analysis, user interface design, and market research."

Common error

Avoid using "lines of development" when referring to a single, linear process. Instead, use it when describing multiple, parallel or branching paths. For instance, don't say "The project had one "line of development"" if there was only one direction being pursued. Use "area", "path" or "focus" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines of development" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, functioning to identify and categorize various streams of progress, growth, or advancement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

19%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lines of development" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe multiple, distinct pathways or strategies within a larger project or field. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in written English. It's most frequently found in scientific, encyclopedic, and news media contexts, suggesting a formal and structured tone. To ensure clarity, use it when referring to multiple, parallel paths, and consider alternatives like "development pathways" or "areas of progress" to refine your message. Avoid using it for singular, linear processes. By understanding the scope and context, you can effectively use "lines of development" to communicate complex ideas with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

development pathways

Replaces "lines" with "pathways", emphasizing the route or course of development.

areas of progress

Focuses on the "progress" aspect of development, using "areas" to denote specific fields.

avenues for growth

Highlights growth potential, replacing "lines" with "avenues" to suggest opportunities.

trajectories of advancement

Emphasizes the directional aspect of development, using "trajectories" to convey movement over time.

courses of evolution

Connects development to the idea of evolution, implying a gradual process of change.

directions of expansion

Focuses on the expansion aspect, suggesting growth in scope or scale.

strategic directions

Highlights development in line with a specific strategy or plan.

emerging trends

Captures the idea of future development focused on trends.

future prospects

Focuses on the potential outcomes of development, looking forward.

potential advancements

Highlights the possibility of future advancements.

FAQs

How can I use "lines of development" in a sentence?

"Lines of development" refers to different paths or strategies being pursued within a larger project or field. For example, "The company is exploring several "lines of development" for its new product, including both hardware and software improvements."

What's a good substitute for "lines of development"?

Depending on the context, you could use "development pathways", "areas of progress", or "avenues for growth". Each of these emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the development process.

Is "lines of development" formal or informal language?

"Lines of development" is generally considered formal language suitable for academic, professional, and technical contexts. It's less common in casual conversation.

How does "lines of development" differ from "areas of development"?

While similar, "lines of development" implies distinct, parallel tracks or strategies, while "areas of development" might refer to different aspects or components within a single, unified plan. The former suggests multiple, independent efforts, while the latter suggests interconnected parts.