reached a milestone

USAGE SUMMARY

"reached a milestone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe achieving an important achievement or accomplishing a significant step in a process. For example, "The team reached a milestone when they completed their first prototype."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

P.B.F.N. reached a milestone a month ago when it held its first conference, a three-day workshop in Dallas.

The New York Times - Sports

A year later, in May 1999, they reached a milestone for finished game systems and the first two missions completed.

Wikipedia

They have reached a milestone.

The Guardian

And Angelica recently reached a milestone.

The New York Times

Thanks to you, we've reached a milestone.

The Guardian

ON MAY 10th, fighters against piracy reached a milestone.

The Economist

Detroit defenseman Larry Murphy also reached a milestone.

The New York Times - Sports

The project has now reached a milestone and requires a reengineering of the navigation kernel interface.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

After two decades, Stanford chemical engineer Zhenan Bao, PhD, has reached a milestone in that journey.

Stanford University

"We have reached a milestone" in nuclear safety, Shinichi Tanaka, the authority's chairman, said Wednesday.

The New York Times

Japan and South Korea each reached a milestone simply by playing in today's games.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reached a milestone" to highlight specific achievements or turning points, adding context to explain the significance of the accomplishment. This phrase is most effective when followed by details that clarify why the event is important.

Common error

Avoid using "reached a milestone" for trivial or insignificant events. Using it for minor progress dilutes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic. Save it for truly noteworthy accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a milestone" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion or attainment of a significant achievement or stage. It highlights a specific point of progress, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached a milestone" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for denoting a significant achievement or turning point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for various contexts, from news and science to academia, though it is most prevalent in news media. When using this phrase, be sure to highlight the importance of the accomplishment to avoid diminishing its impact. Consider related phrases like "achieved a landmark" or "marked a turning point" for nuanced expression. Overall, it’s a reliable way to highlight progress and celebrate success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieved a landmark

Replaces 'milestone' with 'landmark', emphasizing the historical significance of the achievement.

attained a benchmark

Substitutes 'milestone' with 'benchmark', highlighting the achievement as a standard or reference point.

accomplished a feat

Emphasizes the difficulty and skill involved in reaching the milestone.

marked a turning point

Focuses on the milestone as a significant change in direction or progress.

passed a watershed

Replaces 'milestone' with 'watershed', suggesting a critical moment with lasting consequences.

made significant progress

Highlights the advancement made, rather than a specific point.

completed a key stage

Focuses on the completion of a phase in a process or project.

hit a high point

Emphasizes reaching a peak or moment of great success.

celebrated a success

Shifts the focus to the act of celebrating an achievement.

registered a triumph

Highlights the victory and success associated with achieving the milestone.

FAQs

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

You can use "reached a milestone" to describe a significant achievement or turning point. For instance, "The project "reached a milestone" with the completion of the first phase."

What are some alternatives to saying "reached a milestone"?

Alternatives include "achieved a landmark", "attained a benchmark", or "marked a turning point", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "reached a milestone" in formal writing?

Yes, "reached a milestone" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate a significant accomplishment or development. However, consider alternatives if the tone needs to be more nuanced.

What's the difference between "reached a milestone" and "made progress"?

"Reached a milestone" implies a specific, identifiable achievement, whereas "made progress" suggests a general advancement without a specific endpoint. Using "reached a milestone" signifies that a particular goal has been attained.