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Ludwig provides contextual example sentences from reliable sources like The New York Times, BBC, and academic publications, helping you understand how words and phrases are used in real-world contexts. This improves both writing fluency and comprehension skills.

Ludwig is trusted by students, teachers, researchers, and professionals worldwide. It's used by top universities including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford, as well as professionals in tech companies like Adobe.

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Ludwig focuses on providing real example sentences from authoritative sources, not just grammar checking. This contextual approach helps users understand not just what's correct, but how language is actually used by native speakers and professional writers.

Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

Move the needle
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"move the needle" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English and is often used to mean "to make a considerable positive impact" or "to bring about a notable change"
For example, You need to do something that will move the needle and lead to greater success for your business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One: "Move the needle"?

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It won't move the needle".

News & Media

The New York Times

"Did it move the needle?

News & Media

The New York Times

They don't "move the needle".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"That can really move the needle".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It does not even move the needle.

News & Media

The New York Times

I'd love to move the needle on educating women.

Academia

Stanford University

And how do we really move the needle?

Academia

Harvard University

"So we knew we could move the needle".

News & Media

The New York Times

I don't think it will move the needle there and might move the needle in the other direction".

News & Media

The Guardian

But Bourne and Carter couldn't move the needle on decriminalization.

News & Media

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "move the needle" when you want to emphasize a tangible and significant change or improvement, especially in measurable metrics or outcomes.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "move the needle" to describe minor adjustments or changes that have minimal impact. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is substantial and clearly noticeable.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move the needle" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically describing the act of making a noticeable and impactful change. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

22%

Academia

12%

⚠ Less common in

Wiki

Science

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "move the needle" is an idiomatic expression that signifies making a noticeable and significant impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. The phrase is best used when describing actions that lead to tangible improvements or measurable results. While versatile, it should be reserved for changes that are truly substantial, avoiding its use for minor adjustments. Alternatives include ""make a difference"" and "have an impact", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Therefore, when aiming to emphasize concrete progress and impactful change, "move the needle" remains a relevant and effective choice.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a difference

Focuses on the act of having a positive effect, rather than a measurable shift.

have an impact

Highlights the influence exerted, without necessarily implying improvement.

shift the paradigm

Suggests a fundamental change in thinking or approach, a more radical alteration.

alter the course

Implies changing the direction of something, more about redirecting than overall progress.

turn the tide

Signifies reversing a negative trend, emphasizing a change from bad to good.

improve the situation

Focuses on betterment, without the emphasis on making a noticeable or significant change.

FAQs

How can I use "move the needle" in a sentence?

Use "move the needle" when describing actions or strategies that lead to a significant, measurable change. For example, "Investing in employee training can "make a difference" in productivity."

What's a good alternative to "move the needle"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""make a difference"", "have an impact", or "shift the paradigm".

Is it appropriate to use "move the needle" in formal writing?

Yes, "move the needle" is acceptable in formal and business contexts, particularly when discussing strategy, performance, and impact.

What does it mean to "move the needle" in a business context?

In business, "move the needle" typically refers to actions or initiatives that significantly improve key performance indicators (KPIs), such as revenue, market share, or customer satisfaction. For example, "Our new marketing campaign is expected to "drive progress" in brand awareness."

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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Move the needleGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

Move the needle
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples