gaining headway

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Almost equally crucial to Palm gaining headway against competitors like Apple and Research in Motion, Mr. Gartenberg said, was cultivating a system of developers eager to write and publish programs that could run on its devices.

The New York Times - Tech

But their cause is gaining headway as the authorities wage an intense crackdown on dissent, putting pressure on NGOs and arresting or otherwise making vanish dozens of government critics.Mr Mao, who is 82, is the soft-spoken head of a remarkably independent think-tank, the Unirule Institute of Economics.

The Economist

For instance in '44, Evans was among the first to notice a tiny flame gaining headway up a tent rope, and his cornet blared out on the instant the band's disaster song- Sousa'song- Sousad Stripes Forever," which means "All Out!" For accidents of a less serious nature, Evans has what he calls his "chicken song," which means "Stand by, performers.

The New Yorker

The combination of art and science via virtual reality is gaining headway.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But with Venezuela's legal system tightly controlled by pro-Chávez judges who rarely rule against the president, it is unclear how a challenge would gain headway in the courts.

The New York Times

Dress Activity Gains Headway.

The New York Times

BRUSSELS -- Despite the worst economic crisis in recent memory, mainstream parties of the left failed to make clear headway in European elections Sunday, while voters punished several governments and fringe parties made gains, according to exit polls and early results.

The New York Times

I think you know sometimes, often it's actually going through grief yourself that you actually make headway and gain greater wisdom in this area[ 18].

BMC Medical Education

It spread rapidly, aided by a strong wind, and gained great headway before the firemen arrived.

The New York Times

"Linux, without doubt, has gained some headway among software developers in China," Mr. Rawding said.

The New York Times

Some believe a cheaper iPHone will be used to gain more headway among more price-sensitive consumers — both in the U.S. and emerging markets like China — who have shied away from its flagship iPhone models because of high prices.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a process that requires effort, consider using "gaining headway" to show that effort is producing results. For example, "The research team is gaining headway in their quest to find a cure."

Common error

While "gaining headway" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. More precise or sophisticated language might be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining headway" functions as a verbal phrase often used to describe the process of making measurable advancement towards a specific objective. It often connects a subject with the action of progressing, as illustrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gaining headway" is a valid and commonly used expression for indicating progress or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers several real-world examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. While the phrase is versatile, it's particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "making progress" and "advancing forward" offer similar meanings and can be used to add variety to writing. When deploying it, ensure that the tone matches the context, as overuse in overly formal settings could diminish the text's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making progress

Focuses on the act of advancing towards a goal, emphasizing the continuous nature of the improvement.

advancing forward

Highlights the direction of movement and the continuous increase in momentum.

getting ahead

Implies surpassing others or overcoming obstacles to achieve a better position.

picking up steam

Suggests an increase in momentum or intensity, indicating that progress is accelerating.

moving forward

Emphasizes the act of leaving a previous state behind and progressing towards a future state.

making strides

Highlights significant advancements or improvements in a specific area.

gaining ground

Indicates the act of improving one's position or influence, often in a competitive context.

forging ahead

Implies a determined effort to overcome challenges and make progress despite difficulties.

gaining momentum

Suggests an increasing pace or strength in a particular activity or situation.

making an impact

Focuses on the positive effect or influence that progress has on a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "gaining headway" in a sentence?

You can use "gaining headway" to indicate progress or advancement in a task or situation, such as "The project is "gaining headway" thanks to the team's dedicated efforts".

What can I say instead of "gaining headway"?

You can use alternatives like "making progress", "advancing forward", or "gaining ground" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "gaining headway" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. More formal alternatives like "achieving advancement" or "demonstrating progress" might be more suitable in highly formal documents.

What's the difference between "gaining headway" and "gaining ground"?

"Gaining headway" generally implies making progress, while "gaining ground" often suggests improving one's position relative to others, often in a competitive scenario. The choice depends on whether the focus is on general progress or competitive advancement.