gained minimal ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gained minimal ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress has been made, but it is very limited or insignificant. Example: "Despite the team's efforts, they only gained minimal ground in their negotiations with the opposing party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He used to give talks quoting a World War I general: "Ground gain minimal.

The New York Times - Health

Microsoft has gained some ground.

The New York Times - Tech

"We gained some ground.

The New York Times - Sports

The offense sputtered, gained no ground.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have gained this ground".

The New York Times

Google Chrome computers just gained important ground.

Forbes

Asepsis gained ground fast, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Juppé has gained ground.

The Economist

Mr Capriles has gradually gained ground.

The Economist

Xenophobic nationalism gained ground.

The Guardian

The conservative opposition has gained ground.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gained minimal ground", ensure the context clearly indicates the effort or activity to which the limited progress refers. For example: "Despite the extensive marketing campaign, the product gained minimal ground in the competitive market."

Common error

Avoid using "gained minimal ground" when the situation actually involves significant progress. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the advancement is truly slight or almost negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gained minimal ground" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the extent of progress achieved in a particular situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and implies that any progress made was very limited or insignificant, as seen in one of the examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gained minimal ground" is a grammatically correct way to express that only a small amount of progress has been made. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating limited or insignificant advancement. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to understate achievement and temper expectations. While alternatives like "made slight progress" or "achieved little advancement" exist, "gained minimal ground" is a precise way to convey the limited nature of the progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made slight progress

Focuses on the progress aspect, emphasizing that the advancement was small.

achieved little advancement

Highlights the lack of substantial advancement or improvement.

barely advanced

Emphasizes the difficulty and minimal extent of the forward movement.

gained little traction

Implies that the effort did not gain much momentum or support.

made insignificant headway

Stresses that the progress made was not important or noticeable.

hardly progressed

Highlights the lack of substantial progress.

scarcely advanced

Emphasizes the limited and rare nature of the progress.

moved forward slightly

Simply describes a small amount of forward movement.

inched forward

Suggests slow and laborious progress.

made a modicum of progress

Indicates a very small or moderate amount of progress.

FAQs

How can I use "gained minimal ground" in a sentence?

Use "gained minimal ground" to describe situations where efforts resulted in very little progress. For example: "The negotiations "gained minimal ground" despite weeks of discussion."

What are some alternatives to "gained minimal ground"?

You can use alternatives like "made slight progress", "achieved little advancement", or "gained little traction" to convey a similar meaning. Consider the specific nuance you want to express when choosing an alternative.

Is "gained minimal ground" formal or informal?

"Gained minimal ground" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and analytical writing. Its usage depends more on the subject matter than the setting.

What's the difference between "gained minimal ground" and "made no progress"?

"Gained minimal ground" implies some, however slight, progress was achieved, while "made no progress" indicates a complete lack of advancement. If there was any movement forward, however small, "gained minimal ground" is more accurate.