reach a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'reach a breakthrough' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the point when a difficult problem or situation is solved or a difficult goal is achieved. For example, "After months of hard work, the scientists finally reached a breakthrough and found a cure for the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But there's little chance that Bush and the Democratic Congress will reach a breakthrough on such a measure.

Independent

"If we do not stand our ground on this issue, it will be impossible to reach a breakthrough".

The New York Times

In the event it was a cold shower, failing to reach a breakthrough in the run-up to the climate-treaty talks in Copenhagen in December.

The Economist

As of Saturday night, it looked like it would take at least one more round of talks to reach a breakthrough.

The New Yorker

Verhagen said that he was indeed convinced that we could reach a breakthrough and that all sides wanted a re-start, including Syria, which he also had visited.

The Guardian

The British government may be willing to put to one side long standing differences over the Russian incursion into Ukraine to try to reach a breakthrough over Syria.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Ecclestone said: "We are very happy that we have reached a breakthrough in our negotiations.

The Guardian - Sport

Iran and six world powers reached a breakthrough deal on Sunday to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The Guardian

Negotiations aimed at reaching a breakthrough agreement between Iran and six major powers have been continuing on the margins of the general assembly.

The Guardian

Microsoft left a two-day antitrust hearing in Brussels on Friday claiming it had reached a breakthrough with European regulators, but regulators and rivals dismissed the claim as an exaggeration.

The New York Times

TRADE PARLEY -- The United States is playing host to trade ministers from 15 World Trade Organization members today in the hope of reaching a breakthrough accord on national subsidies to farmers, long a bone of contention between Washington and the European Union.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reach a breakthrough" when you want to emphasize a significant achievement that overcomes a major obstacle. It's suitable for describing scientific discoveries, diplomatic agreements, or technological advancements.

Common error

Avoid using "reach a breakthrough" for minor accomplishments. Reserve it for situations where substantial progress or resolution has been achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach a breakthrough" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used with a subject to describe the act of achieving a significant advancement or resolution. It follows a standard verb-object structure, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach a breakthrough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the achievement of a substantial advancement or resolution, often after overcoming significant challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across varied contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "achieve a milestone" or "find a solution" exist, "reach a breakthrough" distinctly emphasizes overcoming obstacles to achieve a noteworthy success. Use it to highlight significant accomplishments, but avoid overuse in trivial contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for professional and informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find a solution

Emphasizes problem-solving, slightly less impactful than a breakthrough.

achieve a milestone

Focuses on a significant point in development rather than solving a problem.

attain a resolution

Emphasizes resolving an issue, differing from a general advancement.

make a discovery

Specifically refers to finding something new, not necessarily solving a problem.

crack the code

Suggests solving a complex puzzle or mystery.

gain an advantage

Implies obtaining a beneficial position, not necessarily a problem resolution.

secure a success

Highlights achieving success, broader than just a breakthrough.

turn the corner

Implies improvement, often from a negative situation, not always a major advance.

make headway

Indicates progress, but not necessarily a decisive achievement.

get a result

A more general term indicating an outcome, which can be positive or negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "reach a breakthrough" to describe the moment when a significant discovery or resolution is achieved after a period of difficulty or stagnation. For instance, "The team finally managed to "reach a breakthrough" in cancer research after years of dedicated effort".

What are some alternatives to "reach a breakthrough"?

Depending on the context, you might consider alternatives such as "achieve a milestone", "attain a resolution", or "make a discovery".

Is it correct to say "reached a breakthrough" or "reach a breakthrough"?

Both are correct depending on the tense you're using. "Reach a breakthrough" is the infinitive form, while "reached a breakthrough" is the past tense. For example, "They hope to "reach a breakthrough" soon" versus "They "reached a breakthrough" last year".

What is the difference between "make progress" and "reach a breakthrough"?

"Make progress" implies gradual advancement, while "reach a breakthrough" suggests a significant, often sudden, advancement that resolves a major obstacle. Reaching a breakthrough is a more substantial and impactful achievement than simply making progress.