advancing by leaps and bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advancing by leaps and bounds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe rapid advancement or progress, often in a positive context. For example, "The technology industry has been advancing by leaps and bounds in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As it suggests, the field is advancing by leaps and bounds.

The Economist

Our understanding of the nature of these distant bodies is advancing by leaps and bounds – recently, astronomers mapped the clouds on a planet 1,000 light years away.

The Guardian - Books

Our understanding of the nature of these distant bodies is advancing by leaps and bounds – recently, astronomers mapped the clouds on a planet 1,000 light years away.

The Guardian - Books

Being highly leveraged was manageable while the economy was advancing by leaps and bounds; but with growth slowing and labour costs rising, many companies can no longer service their debts.

The Economist

Experiments suggest they can navigate through a sample of blood at a speed of about 0.3 metres an hour.The field is advancing by leaps and boundsMoreover, such microrockets might be guided from outside the body using magnets, if suitable magnetically sensitive materials were built into them.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the Android software is advancing by leaps and bounds.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As for Josette, "our sexual relationship had advanced by leaps and bounds".

The New Yorker

Although artificial intelligence has advanced by leaps and bounds since the 1950s, artificial imagination is still in the starting blocks.

Nature

In the dozen-plus years since he first played Gollum, Serkis says the technology has advanced by leaps and bounds.

Independent

As a result of that article, scientific understanding of how life works has advanced by leaps and bounds.

The Economist

While "human civilization has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past two millennia, income inequality has stayed relatively the same," Zubin Jelveh of Portfolio.com wrote about the study.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advancing by leaps and bounds" when you want to convey a sense of substantial and rapid progress, particularly in fields like technology, science, or economic development. It suggests a significant acceleration or breakthrough.

Common error

Avoid using "advancing by leaps and bounds" literally. It's a figurative expression. Don't use it to describe someone physically jumping or covering distance through literal leaps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advancing by leaps and bounds" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to describe how something is progressing or developing. It emphasizes the manner of advancement as being both rapid and substantial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "advancing by leaps and bounds" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe rapid and significant progress. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability across various contexts, although it's more frequently found in News & Media and Academic sources. When using this phrase, remember it conveys both speed and magnitude of advancement. For alternative expressions, consider "progressing rapidly" or "making great strides", but be mindful of subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressing rapidly

Focuses on the speed of progress, omitting the 'leaps and bounds' imagery.

improving dramatically

Focuses on the improvement aspect of the advancement, rather than the pace.

making great strides

Uses a different metaphor to describe significant advancement.

experiencing rapid growth

Focuses on the growth aspect of the advancement.

developing quickly

A simpler way to express fast development, lacking the emphasis of large increments.

showing considerable advancement

Highlights the degree of advancement more than its speed.

gaining ground swiftly

Emphasizes gaining an advantage or position at a fast pace.

shooting ahead quickly

Emphasizes outstripping others or expectations in a rapid manner.

moving forward significantly

Highlights the substantial nature of the forward movement.

flourishing exponentially

Indicates extremely fast, accelerating development.

FAQs

How can I use "advancing by leaps and bounds" in a sentence?

You can use "advancing by leaps and bounds" to describe rapid and significant progress. For example, "Artificial intelligence is "advancing by leaps and bounds" in various sectors".

What's a similar expression to "advancing by leaps and bounds"?

Similar expressions include "progressing rapidly", "making great strides", or "developing quickly". They all suggest significant and fast progress.

Is "advancing by leaps and bounds" formal or informal?

"Advancing by leaps and bounds" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports as well as in more casual conversations.

What does "advancing by leaps and bounds" emphasize?

"Advancing by leaps and bounds" emphasizes both the speed and the magnitude of the progress. It suggests that something is not only improving quickly, but also making substantial gains in a short period.