To make headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To make headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing progress or advancement in a particular task or situation. Example: "Despite the challenges, we are beginning to make headway on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To make headway, he turned to the Web.

The New York Times

To make headway, PAS needs to win over more middle-class, urban Malays.

The Economist

New entrants struggle to make headway.

The Guardian - Business

"But leadership is needed to make headway.

The Guardian - Sport

How to make headway against chronic diseases.

MIT Technology Review

Microsoft's counter-attack has failed to make headway.

The Economist

We had to use every last gust to make headway.

Independent

Thereafter, Martin was able to make headway in Italy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neither side has been able to make headway.

The New York Times

In 1970s Britain though, the IFS struggled to make headway.

The Guardian - Business

But it is possible to make headway against the disease.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make headway" when you want to emphasize that progress is being achieved despite challenges or difficulties. It suggests effort and overcoming obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "to make headway" when the progress is already substantial or the goal is nearly achieved. It's more appropriate when initial progress is being made against resistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make headway" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of making progress or advancing, typically against some form of resistance or difficulty. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts to describe achieving forward movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to make headway" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe progress or advancement, often against resistance, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile and suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedic content, and even scientific discussions. Ludwig's examples showcase its frequent use in authoritative sources, indicating its reliability and acceptance in both formal and informal communication. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "to make progress" or "to gain ground" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To make progress

A more general term for advancing towards a goal.

To gain ground

Emphasizes advancing against opposition or resistance.

To push ahead

Suggests a determined effort to overcome obstacles.

To make strides

Highlights significant improvements or progress.

To move forward

Focuses on the act of advancing from a starting point.

To gain traction

Implies gaining momentum or support for an idea or project.

To advance

A formal term indicating forward movement or improvement.

To come a long way

Emphasizes the significant progress achieved over time or effort.

To get somewhere

Informal way of saying achieving a certain level of progress or success

To improve

Suggests a general positive change or betterment.

FAQs

How can I use "to make headway" in a sentence?

You can use "to make headway" to describe progress being made, like: "Despite the challenges, we are starting "to make headway" on the project."

What are some alternatives to "to make headway"?

Alternatives include "to make progress", "to gain ground", or "to move forward" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "to make headway"?

It is suitable when you want to highlight the effort and initial success in overcoming obstacles or resistance towards achieving a goal.

Is "to make headway" formal or informal?

The phrase "to make headway" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.