gains ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"gains ground" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something is making progress or becoming more accepted. For example: "The new policy gains ground among the community members." Alternative expressions include "makes headway" and "gains traction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its growth could accelerate as streaming video gains ground.

The Economist

Steadily, the cause of transgender people gains ground.

Independent

This is where a discreet Tory Milibandism gains ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gains Ground on Nasdaq in Tech Listings  |  WALL STREET JOURNAL   GrubHub Said to Plan I.P.O.

The New York Times

If that hostility gains ground, it will be harder to save children from blindness and death.

The New York Times

How their view plays out, and whether it gains ground, is unclear.

The New York Times

It's worth noting, then, when a war of resistance breaks out and even gains ground.

The New York Times

The chart still shows that the challenger gains ground after the first presidential debate on average.

The New York Times

62 min: Great from Faletau who gains ground but can't quite release.

The Guardian - Sport

Tuilagi goes over the top and gains ground but England are still held.

The Guardian - Sport

Geoengineering gains ground During 2009, geoengineering took a few steps away from science fiction and towards reality.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gains ground" to describe the increasing acceptance or advancement of an idea, movement, or technology, especially in contexts where there's competition or resistance.

Common error

Avoid using "gains ground" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "improves" or "gets better" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gains ground" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of making progress or increasing in popularity, influence, or acceptance. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gains ground" is a versatile expression used to describe the advancement or increasing acceptance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for professional and neutral registers, it's best to opt for simpler alternatives in very casual conversations. Related phrases like "makes progress" or "gains traction" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to use "gains ground" when you want to highlight the positive development of an idea or entity in the face of potential resistance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes progress

Focuses on the advancement or development achieved.

gains traction

Emphasizes increasing popularity or support.

advances

Highlights forward movement or improvement.

makes headway

Suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve progress.

gathers momentum

Indicates increasing speed or force in progress.

becomes established

Focuses on becoming firmly accepted or recognized.

improves

General term indicating a positive change or betterment.

moves forward

Emphasizes directional progress and continued effort.

develops

Highlights gradual growth or evolution.

grows in influence

Emphasizes the expansion of power or impact.

FAQs

What does "gains ground" mean?

"Gains ground" means to make progress, advance, or become more popular or accepted. It often implies overcoming some form of resistance or competition.

What can I say instead of "gains ground"?

You can use alternatives like "makes progress", "gains traction", or "advances" depending on the context.

Is "gains ground" formal or informal?

"Gains ground" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts. However, simpler alternatives may be preferred in very informal situations.

How to use "gains ground" in a sentence?

Example: "As more people adopt renewable energy, the movement for sustainable living "gains traction"".