what a breakthrough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a breakthrough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express excitement or admiration for a significant discovery or advancement in a particular field. Example: "After years of research, the scientists finally made what a breakthrough in cancer treatment that could save countless lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

What a breakthrough!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What a breakthrough, Rob.

The Guardian - Film

What a breakthrough this would be for car-borne families everywhere.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And yet, even if it didn't look the way victory looks in the movies, what a breakthrough this is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even in Schulz's relatively primitive early work, you can appreciate what a breakthrough he made in drawing characters with large, visually uncluttered heads.

The New Yorker

We get a few voiceover lines from "Ariel," but the movie can't suggest what a breakthrough that book was -- how daring and original.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On the chopper ride back to New York, Russell Crowe could not stop raving about this plan — how genius it was, how brilliant, what a consumer breakthrough.

The New Yorker

Which ones are responsible for turning?" "What a technological breakthrough!" Nelson says.

Science Magazine

He recalls a smoke-filled room with a relaxed and unselfconscious atmosphere where the Bernsteins and Don Cox seemed like old friends happily discussing what a great breakthrough the event was whilst also planning for their next event.

BBC

Being swept by the Kings minimizes to a certain extent what was a breakthrough season.

The New York Times - Sports

NUSSEIBEH: Earlier today Amos was saying that what constitutes a breakthrough is an emotional transformation, an event that brings people to open up their eyes to one another.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a breakthrough" to express excitement and underscore the significance of a particular achievement or discovery. Make sure the context clearly indicates what the breakthrough refers to for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "what a breakthrough" for minor advancements or everyday occurrences. Reserve it for truly significant developments to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a breakthrough" functions as an exclamatory expression, typically used to emphasize the significance and positive impact of a notable achievement or discovery. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and expressive way to convey excitement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a breakthrough" is an exclamatory phrase used to express excitement or admiration for a significant achievement. It is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts, as supported by Ludwig's analysis. While effective for conveying enthusiasm, it should be reserved for truly notable advancements and avoided in overly formal writing, where alternatives may be more appropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a well-recognized way to highlight the impact of a positive development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a triumph

Replaces "breakthrough" with "triumph", emphasizing victory or success.

what a discovery

Substitutes "breakthrough" with "discovery", highlighting the element of finding something new or important.

what an achievement

Substitutes the entire phrase with a focus on the accomplishment itself.

what a leap forward

Adds "forward" to "leap" to emphasize the significant advancement achieved.

what a conquest

Uses "conquest" instead of "breakthrough", focusing on overcoming a challenge or obstacle.

what a revelation

Replaces "breakthrough" with "revelation", stressing the unveiling of something previously unknown.

what a milestone

Employs "milestone" to denote a significant point in development or progress, instead of a general breakthrough.

what a watershed moment

Highlights the breakthrough as a turning point with lasting consequences.

what a success story

Uses "success story" to highlight the positive outcome and narrative of the breakthrough.

what a stroke of genius

Implies the breakthrough was due to exceptional intelligence or insight.

FAQs

How can I use "what a breakthrough" in a sentence?

You can use "what a breakthrough" to express excitement or admiration for a significant discovery or advancement. For example, "After years of research, the scientists finally achieved "what a breakthrough" in cancer treatment!"

What are some alternative phrases to "what a breakthrough"?

You can use alternatives like "what a triumph", "what a discovery", or "what an achievement" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it appropriate to use "what a breakthrough" in formal writing?

While "what a breakthrough" is generally acceptable, it's more common in news articles and less formal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "a significant advancement" or "a pivotal discovery".

What makes "what a breakthrough" different from "what a progress"?

"What a breakthrough" emphasizes a sudden, significant advancement, while "what a progress" ( "what a progress" ) simply acknowledges gradual improvement or movement forward. A breakthrough implies a notable leap, whereas progress suggests ongoing development.