gaining less traction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gaining less traction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an idea, trend, or initiative is becoming less popular or receiving less support over time. Example: "Despite the initial excitement, the new policy is gaining less traction among the employees as time goes on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Newsom, short on cash and endorsements and viewed warily by the state's business interests at a time of deep recession in the state, remains popular in his hometown but was gaining less traction statewide.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But because these protests are so routine, they gain less traction with the press and the international community -- the breaking news element of these protests has run dry.

Huffington Post

Why have some substances become widely available and used on an international scale while others have gained less widespread traction or even been deemed illegal?

University of California, Berkeley

But because there are relatively few of the migrants still living in Canada, the issue has gained less political traction than in Australia.

The New York Times

Then again, as Thomas Stackpole explained in a brief profile of Mr. Lasn for The New Republic last week, the Estonian-born activist, who founded Adbusters after a stint in advertising, seems content to have finally struck a nerve, after years of campaigns — like #NoStarbucks and Buy Nothing Day — that gained considerably less traction.

The New York Times

But the movement for guaranteed paid holidays or vacation time has gained much less traction in the U.S., even though polling shows that Americans by and large like the idea.

Huffington Post

Although the opt-out movement has gained some traction, less than 1% of CGCS systems encountered boycotts of standardized tests by students and their parents.

HuffPost

Also gaining traction is the less-invasive, but less-permanent, process of applying eyebrow extensions.

The New York Times

For Phuket property, "Teflon-coated" is gaining traction as a less-violent descriptor.

The New York Times

Although Johnson had focused the majority of his campaign activities on the New Hampshire primary, he announced on November 29, 2011 that he would no longer campaign there due to his inability to gain traction with less than a month until the primary.

Wikipedia

While interventions provide some, albeit unstable, opportunities for 'moving ahead' through discourses of empowerment and participation, these ways of projecting oneself forward may gain traction through less ephemeral pathways, which relate to a born-again focus on agency, temporality and the self.

Africa

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gaining less traction" to describe situations where an initiative or idea is becoming less popular or effective over time. It accurately conveys a sense of diminishing progress.

Common error

Avoid using "gaining less traction" when you actually mean something is facing initial resistance. The phrase implies a decline from a previous state of progress, not a complete standstill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining less traction" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to describe the action of something failing to gain momentum or popularity. It is often used to express a declining trend as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gaining less traction" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the decline in momentum or popularity of an idea, initiative, or product. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal tone. Alternative phrases include "losing momentum", "declining in popularity", and "failing to resonate". When using this phrase, ensure you are describing a decline from a previous state, not initial resistance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Losing momentum

Focuses on the decrease in speed or force, suggesting a slowdown in progress.

Declining in popularity

Emphasizes a reduction in favor or widespread acceptance.

Failing to resonate

Highlights the lack of emotional or intellectual connection with an audience.

Losing ground

Indicates a reduction in competitive advantage or influence.

Diminishing returns

Implies that efforts are yielding progressively smaller results.

Weakening influence

Stresses the reduction in power to affect outcomes or opinions.

Eroding support

Highlights the gradual loss of backing or approval.

Becoming less effective

Focuses on the decreasing ability to produce a desired result.

Seeing reduced uptake

Emphasizes a decrease in adoption or utilization.

Not catching on

Indicates a failure to become popular or widely accepted.

FAQs

What does "gaining less traction" mean?

The phrase "gaining less traction" means that something is becoming less popular or effective over time. It suggests a decline in momentum or support.

How can I use "gaining less traction" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe anything from a political campaign to a marketing strategy. For example, "The candidate's message is "losing momentum" and "gaining less traction" with voters."

What are some alternatives to "gaining less traction"?

Alternatives include "losing momentum", "declining in popularity", or "failing to resonate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "gaining less traction"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. It follows standard verb and noun usage.