reached a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached a breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a significant advancement or discovery in a particular field or situation. Example: "After months of research, the scientists finally reached a breakthrough in their study of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 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

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

I guess the prey was big, and _____________ was overwhelmed because he reached a breakthrough where no other interrogators had, in spite of almost four years of uninterrupted interrogation from all kinds of agencies from more than six countries.

The Guardian

Nearly a century after the Ottoman Empire's massacre of about one million Armenian Christians in 1915, Turkey's president, Abdullah Gul, and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, have reached a breakthrough in their immensely delicate negotiations.

The New York Times

CANBERRA — Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia said Friday that she had reached a "breakthrough" deal with key mining companies on a contentious new tax that has unsettled the government and contributed to the sudden resignation last week of the former prime minister, Kevin Rudd.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reached a breakthrough" to highlight a significant and positive development, especially after overcoming obstacles or challenges. It's suitable for describing advancements in negotiations, research, or problem-solving.

Common error

While "reached a breakthrough" is widely understood, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "figured it out" or "solved the problem" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a breakthrough" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, typically used to indicate the successful resolution of a challenge or the attainment of a significant advancement. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reached a breakthrough" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a significant achievement or resolution of a problem. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "achieved a breakthrough" or "made a discovery" for variety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieved a breakthrough

Uses "achieved" instead of "reached", emphasizing the accomplishment.

made a breakthrough

Employs "made" in place of "reached", focusing on the action of creating the breakthrough.

attained a breakthrough

Substitutes "reached" with "attained", suggesting a successful effort to gain something.

accomplished a breakthrough

Replaces "reached" with "accomplished", highlighting the completion of the breakthrough.

obtained a breakthrough

Uses "obtained" instead of "reached", indicating the acquisition of the breakthrough.

secured a breakthrough

Replaces "reached" with "secured", focusing on the act of ensuring the breakthrough.

had a breakthrough

Uses "had" to indicate the experience of achieving a breakthrough.

experienced a breakthrough

Replaces "reached" with "experienced", emphasizing the personal impact of the breakthrough.

found a breakthrough

Substitutes "reached" with "found", suggesting the discovery of the breakthrough.

identified a breakthrough

Employs "identified" instead of "reached", focusing on the recognition of the breakthrough.

FAQs

What does "reached a breakthrough" mean?

The phrase "reached a breakthrough" means to have achieved a significant advancement or discovery that resolves a problem or leads to a new understanding. It often implies overcoming obstacles to achieve a positive outcome.

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

You can use "reached a breakthrough" to describe advancements in various fields. For example, "The scientists "achieved a breakthrough" in cancer research" or "Negotiators "made a breakthrough" in trade talks".

Which is more appropriate, "reached a breakthrough" or "achieved a breakthrough"?

Both "reached a breakthrough" and ""achieved a breakthrough"" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on personal preference, as they convey essentially the same meaning.

What are some alternatives to "reached a breakthrough"?

Some alternatives to "reached a breakthrough" include "made a discovery", "achieved success", or "overcame a hurdle", depending on the specific context.