significant figure

USAGE SUMMARY

"significant figure" is a commonly used part of English language.
It typically refers to numbers that are valuable or important. For example: The most significant figure in this analysis is the decrease in the overall profit margin.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Benn was a hugely significant figure.

Independent

Fares is an especially significant figure.

The Guardian

Miliband is a more significant figure after conference season 2013.

The Guardian

Fraser was also a significant figure in promoting a strong and unified western alliance.

The Guardian

Riley Whiting was a clockmaker, a significant figure at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

The New York Times

Pete remained a significant figure at the company until his death.

The Guardian - Music

The projects made Hampton a significant figure in New York politics.

The Guardian

Tavernier knows (or knew) every significant figure in French film history.

The Guardian - Film

I had no idea what a significant figure he was in Jamaican "politricks".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The circular tuning curves are plotted for the significant (Figure 9C) and non-significant (Figure 9D) cells.

Plosone

This assay also revealed the contribution of endogenous Chk2 to be non-significant (Figure 5).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a person, use "significant figure" to denote someone who has had a notable impact or influence in a particular field or context. When talking about numbers, use "significant figure" in technical contents.

Common error

Avoid using "significant figure" to describe someone in everyday social contexts. This phrase carries a weight of importance and influence and is more appropriate for formal or historical discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant figure" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a person of considerable importance or a meaningful digit in a numerical value. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

26%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant figure" is a commonly used phrase in English, referring either to an important person or a meaningful number. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. Grammatically correct, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Alternatives include "key figure" or "prominent individual" for people, and "vital statistic" or "critical number" when referring to numbers. When writing, it's crucial to use the phrase appropriately, reserving it for situations where genuine importance or influence is being highlighted, especially in scientific or mathematical contents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key figure

A more concise way to say someone is essential.

prominent individual

Replaces 'figure' with 'individual', emphasizing a person's importance.

important person

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of someone who matters.

notable personality

Highlights a person's fame or recognition.

leading light

Figurative language to describe someone influential.

major player

Emphasizes someone's active role and impact.

influential character

Focuses on the impact someone has on others or events.

principal actor

Formal phrasing suggesting a central role.

vital statistic

When referring to numbers, emphasizing its importance.

critical number

When referring to numbers, highlights how essential.

FAQs

How do I use "significant figure" in a sentence?

Use "significant figure" to describe someone who is important or influential in a specific field. For instance, "Marie Curie is a "significant figure" in the history of science."

What's an alternative to calling someone a "significant figure"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "important person", "key figure", or "prominent individual".

Is "significant figure" used for people or just numbers?

"Significant figure" can refer to either a person of importance or a digit in a number that carries meaning for its precision. The context will usually make it clear which meaning is intended.

When is it appropriate to use the term "significant figure"?

Use "significant figure" in contexts where you want to emphasize someone's impact, influence, or historical importance. For numbers, it's used in scientific or mathematical contexts to indicate precision.