are gaining ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are gaining ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is becoming more accepted, popular, or successful over time. Example: "In recent years, renewable energy sources are gaining ground as more people become aware of their benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But broader brims are gaining ground.

The New York Times

But its admirers are gaining ground.

The Economist

Perhaps these ideas are gaining ground.

The Economist

And those competitors are gaining ground.

The New York Times - Tech

Politically, the disabled are gaining ground, too.

The New York Times - Arts

Anti-immigrant parties are gaining ground in Europe.

The Economist

360buy and Dangdang, well-funded local competitors, are gaining ground.

The Economist

However, east Asian and Australian universities are gaining ground.

The Guardian

On many other issues, the sides are gaining ground.

The New York Times - Sports

In turn, challengers, notably China, are gaining ground.

The New Yorker

Auxiliary verification methods are gaining ground in practice.

Nuclear Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are gaining ground" to describe the increasing acceptance, popularity, or success of a concept, product, or movement. Ensure the subject is clearly defined for context.

Common error

Avoid using "are gaining ground" when the progress is minimal or localized. The phrase implies a more widespread and significant trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are gaining ground" functions as a verbal phrase indicating progress, increasing acceptance, or growing influence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, signaling an ongoing process of advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are gaining ground" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote increasing progress or acceptance. Ludwig's analysis reveals it's most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. To ensure clear communication, always define the subject that's "gaining ground". Related alternatives include "are becoming more popular" and "are making headway". While Ludwig confirms its widespread use, remember to use it appropriately when describing trends, and avoid it for minimal or localized advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are becoming more popular

Focuses on the increasing popularity of something.

are making headway

Emphasizes the progress being made despite potential obstacles.

are gaining traction

Highlights the increasing momentum or acceptance of an idea or initiative.

are on the rise

Simple and direct way to indicate an upward trend.

are expanding their influence

Highlights the increasing power or impact of something.

are making inroads

Suggests initial progress being made in a challenging situation.

are advancing

Focuses on the forward movement or progress being made.

are developing momentum

Highlights the increasing speed and force of progress.

are taking hold

Indicates that something is becoming firmly established.

are flourishing

Suggests vigorous growth and success.

FAQs

How to use "are gaining ground" in a sentence?

Use "are gaining ground" to indicate that something is becoming more popular, accepted, or successful. For example, "Renewable energy sources "are gaining ground" as concerns about climate change increase."

What can I say instead of "are gaining ground"?

You can use alternatives like "are becoming more popular", "are making headway", or "are gaining traction" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are gaining ground" or "is gaining ground"?

"Are gaining ground" is used when referring to a plural subject, while "is gaining ground" is used for singular subjects. For example, "Electric cars "are gaining ground"," but "This idea "is gaining ground"."

What's the difference between "are gaining ground" and "are losing ground"?

"Are gaining ground" means something is becoming more successful or accepted, while "are losing ground" means something is becoming less successful or accepted. They are antonyms indicating opposite trends.