significant development

USAGE SUMMARY

"significant development" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or change that has a major impact or is of particular importance. For example, "The discovery of penicillin was a significant development in medical science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, there's a small but significant development.

The Guardian - Opinion

There has been a significant development in the courts, however.

The New York Times

"By any definition this is a significant development".

The Guardian

"This is a significant development," the senior Saudi official said.

The New York Times

They really are a product of a significant development plan and they're paying the dividends now".

The Guardian - Sport

The joint administrators will keep the creditors informed of any significant development," the administrator's report said.

The Guardian - Business

And if that requires significant development around the park, Mr. Smith, a Manhattanite, isn't complaining.

The New York Times

The spokesman for Kate and Gerry McCann said: "The letter is a significant development.

The Guardian

The previous day in Kabul, Holbrooke called the arrest of Baradar "a significant development".

The Guardian

Hefetz's coöperation could be the most significant development yet in the corruption cases surrounding Netanyahu.

The New Yorker

More than another decade passed before another significant development occurred, Mr. Ryan said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "significant development" to highlight progress or change, ensuring the context clearly establishes what has evolved and why it is important.

Common error

Avoid using "significant development" for minor changes or updates. Ensure the development truly has a noteworthy impact or effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant development" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object, describing an event, change, or progress that is noteworthy. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in highlighting important occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant development" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that highlights important events, changes, or progress. According to Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. The phrase functions to emphasize the importance and impact of an event, making it useful in professional, neutral and even in informal communication. While its usage is broad, writers should be mindful of overstating the significance of minor updates. Ludwig's examples showcase its adaptability in describing notable occurrences across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

important breakthrough

Emphasizes the innovative aspect of the achievement.

groundbreaking discovery

Highlights the innovative aspect of the discovery.

major advancement

Focuses on progress and improvement.

consequential change

Focuses on the resulting effect of the development.

remarkable achievement

Focuses on the success and accomplishment.

watershed event

Emphasizes the turning point nature of an event.

substantial progress

Emphasizes the amount of advancement made.

pivotal moment

Highlights the crucial nature of a specific point in time.

notable event

Highlights the importance of a specific occurrence.

key milestone

Highlights the progress of a certain period.

FAQs

How can I use "significant development" in a sentence?

Use "significant development" to describe an event or change that is particularly important or has a major impact. For example, "The discovery of the new drug was a "significant development" in the fight against cancer."

What's the difference between "significant development" and "major development"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "significant development" often implies a more profound or far-reaching impact than "major development". The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impact you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "significant development"?

You can use alternatives like "major advancement", "substantial progress", or "notable event" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "significant development" formal or informal?

"Significant development" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various writing styles.