be making headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be making headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate progress or advancement in a particular task or situation. Example: "After several weeks of hard work, we are finally starting to be making headway on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They appear to be making headway.

The Economist

They seem to be making headway.

The Economist

And he appeared to be making headway.

The New York Times

But now the technology finally seems to be making headway.

The Economist

The Libel Reform Campaign appears to be making headway.

The Guardian

The labor effort appears to be making headway.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But they are making headway.

The New York Times

"We are making headway.

The Guardian

And he is making headway.

The New York Times

Still, I was making headway.

The New York Times

But I was making headway.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be making headway" to indicate that a noticeable degree of progress is occurring, particularly when efforts are ongoing and the outcome is not yet fully realized. It emphasizes the process of advancement rather than a completed achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "be making headway" in contexts where the progress has already been fully achieved. Instead, opt for phrases like "made significant progress" or "achieved considerable gains" to reflect the completed nature of the advancement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be making headway" is to act as a verb phrase indicating continuous or ongoing progress. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes efforts or initiatives that are actively advancing towards a goal. It emphasizes the process rather than a completed result.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be making headway" is a useful and grammatically sound way to express ongoing progress. As Ludwig confirms, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into professional and general communication. While alternatives like "make progress" and "gain ground" exist, "be making headway" offers a subtle nuance of continuous effort towards a desired outcome. Be mindful of using the correct tense and avoid using it when the progress is already complete. Overall, it's a reliable phrase to indicate advancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make progress

This alternative offers a more direct and commonly used way to express advancement.

gain ground

Implies a gradual advancement, often in a competitive context.

advance

A formal term suggesting movement forward, especially in a planned way.

move forward

Indicates a general progression towards a goal.

forge ahead

Suggests determined progress, often despite obstacles.

pick up steam

Implies increasing momentum in making progress.

gather momentum

Similar to "pick up steam", but focuses on the accumulation of force.

come along

Suggests satisfactory but not necessarily rapid progress.

get somewhere

An informal way to say that progress is being made, often after some difficulty.

turn the corner

Implies that a critical point has been passed and success is more likely.

FAQs

How can I use "be making headway" in a sentence?

Use "be making headway" to indicate ongoing progress towards a goal. For example, "The team is "making progress" on the project" or "Negotiations are "gaining ground" despite initial setbacks."

What are some alternatives to "be making headway"?

Alternatives include phrases like "make progress", "gain ground", "advance", or "move forward". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it more appropriate to say "is making headway" or "are making headway"?

Use "is making headway" with singular subjects (e.g., "The project is making headway"). Use "are making headway" with plural subjects (e.g., "The teams are making headway").

What's the difference between "be making headway" and "make a breakthrough"?

"Be making headway" suggests gradual progress, while "make a breakthrough" implies a sudden, significant advancement. If progress is incremental, use "be making headway"; if there's a major leap forward, use "make a breakthrough".