significant source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant source" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to something that is a large or important contributor to something else. Example: The internet has become a significant source of information for students studying history, allowing them to access a wealth of resources from the comfort of their own homes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fees have become a significant source of revenue.

The New York Times - Tech

For many colleges, trustees are a significant source of money.

The New York Times

Another significant source of energy inefficiency is drafts.

The New York Times

It is also a significant source of iron.

The New York Times - Food

Exports have been a significant source of growth in Connecticut.

The New York Times

And until now, they provided no significant source of revenue.

The New York Times

Tax-based revenue is a significant source of governmental income.

Britannica

One significant source of patents is the archetypal solo inventor.

Harvard Business Review

Bird-watching has become a significant source of tourist income.

Britannica

This was not considered a significant source of bias.

Nature

Could Evaporation Be a Significant Source of Renewable Energy?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "significant source" with quantitative data whenever possible to strengthen your claim. For example, instead of saying "Exports have been a significant source of growth", you could say "Exports have contributed to 30% of the annual growth, making them a significant source of growth".

Common error

Avoid using "significant source" without specifying why it is significant. Adding details and context increases clarity and persuasiveness. Vague statements can weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant source" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies something that is a major contributor or origin, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant source" is a widely used and grammatically correct term that identifies something as an important contributor or origin. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently across various domains, including news, science, and business. To use the phrase effectively, ensure that you specify what it is a source of and consider quantifying its significance with data. Alternatives like "key contributor" or "major factor" can be used depending on the context. While very versatile, overuse of the phrase can diminish impact. You can enhance clarity and precision by being specific about why the source is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial contributor

Uses "contributor" instead of "source" and "substantial" instead of "significant", suggesting a tangible or weighty contribution.

key contributor

Substitutes "source" with "contributor" and "significant" with "key", highlighting the role as an essential element.

major factor

Replaces "source" with "factor" and "significant" with "major", emphasizing its importance.

notable origin

Replaces "significant" with "notable", indicating something worthy of attention or remark.

vital component

Switches "source" to "component" and "significant" to "vital", stressing its necessity.

prominent origin

Changes "significant" to "prominent", indicating something that stands out or is well-known.

primary cause

Changes "source" to "cause" and "significant" to "primary", focusing on the main reason for something.

essential element

Replaces "source" with "element" and "significant" with "essential", emphasizing its indispensability.

important generator

Uses "generator" instead of "source" and "important" instead of "significant", depicting it as something that produces or creates.

considerable influence

Transforms "source" to "influence" and "significant" to "considerable", highlighting the degree of impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant source" to describe something that is a major contributor or origin of something else. For example, "The internet is a "significant source" of information for students".

What are some alternatives to "significant source"?

Alternatives include "major factor", "key contributor", or "primary cause", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "significant source" or "major source"?

"Significant source" and "major source" are often interchangeable. However, "significant" implies a noteworthy impact or importance, while "major" simply denotes size or quantity. Choose the one that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "significant source" and "important source"?

While both suggest something is influential, "significant source" indicates a measurable or considerable impact. "Important source" simply highlights the value or relevance of the source. "Significant source" is used when the source has produced some impact, whereas "important source" may be more valuable in a general way.