pass a milestone

USAGE SUMMARY

"pass a milestone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to reaching a major point or a significant event in a process or journey. Example sentence: After five long years of dedicated study, I finally passed a milestone by graduating with a PhD in psychology.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

MILAN — Not too long from now, Karl Lagerfeld will pass a milestone in fashion.

The New York Times

MIT researchers pass a milestone on the path to sophisticated fibers that interact with their surroundings in new ways.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On Thursday Mr. Herzog and his movie will be in Canada for the Toronto International Film Festival, where the reality-film genre will pass a milestone.

The New York Times

It will soon pass a milestone: the one-billionth download of an online TED speaker video.How did it get so popular?

The Economist

Sometime this year, we will quietly pass a milestone in human history: the majority of the fish we eat will be farm-raised rather than wild-caught.

The New York Times

This year, the world will pass a milestone so profoundly significant that 2007 will become a touchstone for future historians.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Around 1.8 million years ago, human evolution passed a milestone.

The New York Times - Science

I had passed a milestone I had never expected to reach.

The New York Times

Russia quietly passed a milestone this year: surpassing De Beers as the world's largest diamond producer.

The New York Times

The project, the Census of Marine Life, has passed a milestone of sorts, compiling more than five million records in its database, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System.

The New York Times

Google's announcement came 24 hours after the company's shares passed a milestone by topping $600.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pass a milestone" to emphasize a significant accomplishment or progression in a project, process, or personal journey. It's best used when the milestone represents a recognizable point of progress.

Common error

Avoid using "pass a milestone" for minor or insignificant events. Reserve this phrase for occasions that genuinely mark substantial progress or achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass a milestone" functions as a verb phrase often used to describe the attainment of a significant point or event in a progression. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pass a milestone" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe reaching a significant point or event in a process. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples from diverse sources, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "reach a landmark" or "achieve a breakthrough" exist, "pass a milestone" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Remember to use this phrase when highlighting genuine progress and avoid applying it to insignificant events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a landmark

Replaces 'milestone' with 'landmark', implying a significant point has been reached.

achieve a breakthrough

Suggests a sudden advancement or success, slightly different from simply reaching a milestone.

mark a turning point

Focuses on the idea that the milestone signifies a significant change in direction.

attain a benchmark

Implies the achievement of a standard or level of quality.

realize an objective

Highlights the attainment of a specific goal or aim.

accomplish a feat

Highlights the effort and skill required to reach the milestone, suggesting it was a difficult achievement.

move past a benchmark

Suggests that the milestone has been surpassed and one has moved on.

get over a hurdle

Focuses on overcoming an obstacle or challenge on the way to achieving a goal.

overcome an obstacle

Focuses on the act of surmounting a challenge, rather than achieving a significant point.

cross the Rubicon

Implies reaching a point of no return or a decisive step.

FAQs

How can I use "pass a milestone" in a sentence?

You can use "pass a milestone" to describe reaching a significant point in a project, a personal goal, or a historical event. For example: "The company "passed a milestone" with the launch of its new product".

What are some alternatives to "pass a milestone"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reach a landmark", "achieve a breakthrough", or "mark a turning point", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to quantify the milestone when using the phrase "pass a milestone"?

No, it is not always necessary. You can use "pass a milestone" to refer to a more general sense of progress or achievement without explicitly specifying the milestone. For example: "The project has "passed a milestone" and is now in its final phase".

What's the difference between "pass a milestone" and "reach a goal"?

"Pass a milestone" refers to reaching a specific point in a process or journey, while "reach a goal" signifies the completion of an overall objective. A milestone can be a smaller step towards reaching the larger goal.