qualitative leap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'qualitative leap' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a significant improvement or change in something, often of a qualitative rather than quantitative nature. For example, "The introduction of the new technology represented a qualitative leap in our productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

That is a qualitative leap".

The New York Times

"It's all about making a qualitative leap forward in Greece's backward political culture".

The New York Times

"To make another qualitative leap like we've had with silicon, we need radical new ideas, and that usually means a new material," Fennie says.

Cornell University

In acquiring number words, children exhibit a qualitative leap in which they transition from understanding a few number words, to possessing a rich system of interrelated numerical concepts.

Stanford University

"I don't think this team would have made the qualitative leap that we have made in the past few years without him," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

"The balance of Mourinho's time here," Pérez stated, "is we have made a very important qualitative leap, both competitively and sporting.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The most important advances, the qualitative leaps, are the least predictable.

The Guardian

The rise in house sizes has not been accompanied by qualitative leaps in the use of space.

The New York Times

If their debut suffers from a deficit of great original material, that only makes the subsequent qualitative leaps all the more astonishing.

The Guardian - Music

The categories are hierarchical from A (lowest) to D (most advanced) and illustrate qualitative "leaps" in children's ways of relating themselves to the book-reading situation.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

But changes such as this represent qualitative leaps in productivity--and they are critical to you for maintaining your capacity to create something new.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "qualitative leap" to describe significant advancements that involve a change in character or quality, not just quantity. It's best applied when the improvement is substantial and transformative.

Common error

Avoid using "qualitative leap" when the improvement is primarily quantitative. For example, a 10% increase in sales is not a "qualitative leap"; it's a quantitative increase. Reserve the phrase for changes that fundamentally alter the nature of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "qualitative leap" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it denotes a significant advancement or change in the quality or nature of something, rather than merely its quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "qualitative leap" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant improvement or transformation in the nature or quality of something, rather than its quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Academia. To ensure correct usage, remember that it should describe a fundamental shift, not just a numerical increase. Alternatives include "significant advancement" and "major breakthrough". It is important to note that while the phrase is considered correct by Ludwig, it should be applied judiciously to maintain clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant advancement

Focuses on the aspect of progress and improvement rather than a sudden, dramatic change.

major breakthrough

Emphasizes the aspect of overcoming obstacles and achieving a notable success.

transformative shift

Highlights the aspect of a fundamental change in nature or form.

paradigm shift

Indicates a change in the basic assumptions and practices within a specific field.

step change

Suggests a significant, discrete improvement, often in a measurable quantity.

quantum jump

Implies a sudden and dramatic change, often in a less literal, more metaphorical sense.

notable improvement

Focuses on the positive change in quality or condition without necessarily implying a drastic alteration.

marked progress

Emphasizes gradual but noticeable advancement over time.

substantial development

Highlights the growth and maturity of something, often in a more concrete or tangible way.

fundamental upgrade

Refers to a significant improvement in functionality or performance, often in technology or systems.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "qualitative leap" in a sentence?

Use "qualitative leap" to describe a significant advancement or transformation that changes the nature or quality of something. For example, "The adoption of AI in healthcare represents a "qualitative leap" in diagnostic accuracy".

What are some alternatives to "qualitative leap"?

You can use alternatives like "significant advancement", "major breakthrough", or "transformative shift" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "qualitative leap" to describe a numerical increase?

No, "qualitative leap" refers to a change in quality or character, not quantity. Use it to describe improvements that are not merely numerical. A better term for a numerical increase would be "quantitative increase".

What is the difference between a "qualitative leap" and a "quantitative leap"?

A "qualitative leap" signifies a fundamental change in the nature or character of something, while a "quantitative leap" refers to a significant increase in amount or number. The former is about transformation, the latter is about scale.