significant leaps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant leaps" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a notable advancement in progress or development. For example, "The advances in medical technology over the past decade have been marked by significant leaps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Development of renewable energy sources has taken significant leaps.

The New York Times

I'll buy younger players whose performances could take significant leaps given their increased experience.

The New York Times

For Dallas's offense to take significant leaps forward, Romo must display those traits even more regularly.

The New York Times

For a neoclassical economist, these were significant leaps, and more followed when Krugman joined the Times Op-Ed page.

The New Yorker

The Knicks are no longer being blown off the court every night, but they are not taking significant leaps forward, either.

The New York Times - Sports

For a layman, it's difficult to imagine such significant leaps in speed in two years with a well-established class of boats.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Circulation of the beams was a significant leap forward.

Independent

But they appear to be at least a year away from making a significant leap.

The New York Times

Scores are typically questioned only when there is a significant leap from one score to the next.

The New York Times - Sports

For a brand that still has not embraced e-commerce, this is a significant leap in the digital direction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The scope and quality of effects appeared to have made a significant leap from the 2012 original.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing advancements in a field or industry, use "significant leaps" to emphasize the magnitude and impact of the progress. For example, "The field of artificial intelligence has made significant leaps in recent years".

Common error

While "significant leaps" is a strong phrase, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "substantial progress" or "major breakthroughs" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase. The phrase "significant leaps" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often implied) to describe the nature or extent of progress. According to Ludwig, it is correctly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant leaps" is a useful and grammatically sound way to describe substantial advancements or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. As demonstrated by the examples, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, remember to use it to emphasize notable progress and avoid overusing the phrase by substituting "remarkable strides" or "major breakthroughs" to give variety. The term is applicable in both formal and informal contexts although slightly more formal alternatives may exist depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable advances

Changes the noun to "advances" while maintaining the sense of importance and magnitude.

major breakthroughs

Replaces "leaps" with "breakthroughs", emphasizing a sudden and important discovery or development.

substantial progress

Uses "progress" to convey forward movement, and "substantial" to indicate its significance, offering a slightly more formal tone.

remarkable strides

Employs "strides" to suggest steady and impactful progress, highlighting the distance covered.

notable advancements

Substitutes "leaps" with "advancements" and "significant" with "notable", keeping a similar level of formality and meaning.

great strides forward

Adds the adverb "forward" to highlight the direction of the progress, specifying that it is moving ahead.

momentous improvements

Replaces "leaps" with "improvements" and "significant" with "momentous", highlighting a more qualitative change.

drastic improvements

Indicates sudden and significant changes. It emphasizes the magnitude and speed of improvement.

radical transformations

Emphasizes that the changes are fundamental and far-reaching, suggesting a complete shift.

revolutionary progress

It highlights that the developments are innovative and transformational. This implies pioneering improvements.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant leaps" to describe major advancements or progress in a particular area. For instance, "The company made "considerable advances" in its research and development department last year, resulting in significant leaps in product innovation."

What are some alternatives to "significant leaps"?

Some alternatives include "major breakthroughs", "substantial progress", "remarkable strides", and "notable advancements". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "significant leaps" or "significant progress"?

Both "significant leaps" and "significant progress" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Significant leaps" suggests discrete, large advancements, while "significant progress" implies continuous forward movement. Choose the phrase that best fits the nature of the development you are describing.

Can "significant leaps" be used in formal and informal contexts?

"Significant leaps" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, you might prefer alternatives like "substantial progress" or "considerable advances", which may sound slightly more sophisticated.