significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "significant" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is important, notable, or influential. For example: "The new law has had a significant impact on our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is significant".

The New York Times - Arts

It's that significant".

The Guardian - Tech

If the court were to rule the law unconstitutional when it issues its decision in June, it could prove a significant blow to Obama's re-election campaign by striking down his most important piece of legislation and bolstering conservative opposition.

The Guardian

"This was during a period of high intensity, with an unprecedented number of arrivals and an increased number of people presenting with a range of significant, complex medical conditions".

The Guardian

The most significant retrenchment programs on a per capita basis have been those of Greece.

The New York Times

That's an increase that the companies can easily tolerate, and it would make a significant difference in the lives of low-wage workers.

The Economist

The conservatives all express skepticism, some significant.

The New York Times

The report represents the most significant political pressure yet to bring mindfulness into the mainstream and comes amid a boom in public interest in the practice, rooted in a 2,400-year-old 2,400-year-old 2,400-year-old

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The strength of feeling in the party was highlighted on Sunday when 20 current and former Tory constituency association chairmen delivered a letter to No 10 warning that the bill would inflict "significant damage" to the party in the runup to the next election.

The Guardian

Verbal and written feedback from patients has been largely very positive and measures of depression and anxiety on average show a significant reduction following the course.

The Guardian

It has produced, via the murder of 298 people on MH17, the first significant use of economic sanctions between developed countries since the era of globalisation began.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant", ensure the context clearly indicates why something is important. Instead of simply stating something is "significant", elaborate on its impact or consequences to provide a more compelling and informative statement.

Common error

Avoid using "significant" as a generic intensifier. Instead of saying "a significant amount", quantify the amount whenever possible or use a more descriptive adjective. Being specific strengthens your writing and avoids vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "significant" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate importance, consequence, or noteworthiness. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing events, changes, and findings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant" is a highly versatile adjective used to denote importance, consequence, or noteworthiness. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly within news, formal business writing, and scientific discourse. It is generally neutral to formal, emphasizing the value or impact of the noun it modifies. When using "significant", it's best to be specific about why something is important and to avoid overuse as a generic intensifier. Considering alternatives like "important", "notable", or "considerable" can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

important

A direct synonym, focusing on the notable value or effect of something.

notable

Emphasizes the quality of being worthy of attention or easily noticed.

considerable

Highlights the substantial amount or degree of something.

substantial

Indicates a large amount or degree, often implying importance.

momentous

Stresses the high importance and historical impact of an event.

meaningful

Focuses on the deep value or purpose associated with something.

consequential

Highlights the far-reaching effects or outcomes of something.

remarkable

Emphasizes the striking or unusual nature of something.

key

Focuses on the essential or crucial nature of something.

critical

Stresses the vital importance and potential danger if something is not addressed.

FAQs

How can I use "significant" in a sentence?

You can use "significant" to describe something important, notable, or influential. For example: "The research showed a "significant improvement" in patient outcomes."

What words can I use instead of "significant"?

Alternatives to "significant" include "important", "notable", "considerable", or "substantial" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "significantly significant"?

While grammatically possible, "significantly significant" can sound redundant. Consider rephrasing for clarity, such as "especially significant" or "particularly important".

What is the difference between "significant" and "relevant"?

"Significant" implies importance or consequence, while "relevant" means directly related to the matter at hand. Something can be "relevant but not significant", and vice versa.