headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb. Noun: We finally made some headway in our negotiations. Verb: We are trying to headway in our negotiations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Hungary had to evolve an entirely new method of play if we were to make any headway in international football".

The Guardian - Sport

Government insiders insisted the reshuffle was tantamount to window-dressing, aimed at placating the bodies that had blamed Varoufakis for the lack of headway.

The Guardian - Business

After months of negotiations failing to make headway, Monday's announcement was, however, seen as a conciliatory move.

The Guardian

That's also freed up Nigerian troops at a time they're also making some headway with procurement of helicopters, armoured personnel carriers and thermal imaging equipment that allows them to attack camps at night".

The Guardian

Meanwhile the government appears to be making little headway in negotiations with the crossbench over the $5.5bn it wants to cut from family tax benefit B, which is paid to single parents and single income families earning up to $150,000, to fund its $3.5bn childcare plan.

The Guardian

The protesters have far more vested interest in a cleaner, brighter future than the politicians that have struggled to make any headway for dozens of years.

The Guardian

Related: In the poor heart of Glasgow, political loyalties melt away Initial research for the party in Glasgow suggests that Murphy has made significant headway with swing voters,particularly with his message that Scottish Labour will fight for Scotland's interest.

The Guardian

Weinstein's family campaigned for years to secure his release, winning allies in Congress but failing to make much headway with the administration.

The Guardian

Nonetheless Guzmán's near-mythical status means his arrest is, at the very least, a major boost to President Peña Nieto's claims to be finally making headway bringing organised crime under control.

The Guardian

In the 52nd minute Ward made headway down the left and sent in a dangerous cross which Derbyshire prodded home at the near post with Andersen stranded.

The Guardian - Sport

She is pleased that Labour has committed to improving pay and the quality of UK jobs, but has made little headway in convincing the Conservative party that austerity is a failed project.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "headway" when you want to emphasize progress made in overcoming obstacles or challenges. It suggests active effort and achievement.

Common error

Avoid writing "head way" when you mean "headway". "Headway" is a single word referring to progress. "Head way" is two separate words and doesn't carry the same meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "headway" is as a noun. It typically describes the degree of forward motion or advancement made, often in the face of challenges. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts involving negotiations, military actions, and general progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "headway" functions primarily as a noun denoting progress, particularly when obstacles are being overcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, with common usage in news and business. To avoid errors, remember that "headway" is a single word. For alternative expressions, consider "making progress" or "gaining ground", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make progress

Focuses on the act of advancing rather than the rate or amount of advancement.

gain ground

Implies gradually improving position or success, often in a competitive situation.

advance

A more general term for moving forward; lacks the specific implication of overcoming obstacles.

move forward

Emphasizes directionality and continuation, not necessarily achievement or overcoming difficulty.

improve

Focuses on the betterment of a situation, not necessarily movement in a spatial or temporal sense.

develop

Highlights gradual expansion and maturation, often in a more complex or elaborate manner.

make advances

Indicates specific instances of forward movement, often in science or technology.

forge ahead

Suggests determined and persistent movement, often in the face of challenges.

push forward

Implies actively trying to advance, often against resistance.

gain momentum

Highlights increasing speed or strength of progress over time.

FAQs

How to use "headway" in a sentence?

Use "headway" to describe forward movement or progress, such as "We are making "headway" in the negotiations" or "The ship made slow "headway" against the current".

What can I say instead of "headway"?

You can use alternatives like "progress", "advance", or "gaining ground" depending on the context.

Is "headway" a noun or a verb?

"Headway" is primarily used as a noun, referring to forward movement or progress. While it can be used in verb phrases like "make headway", it doesn't function as a verb on its own.

What's the difference between "headway" and "progress"?

"Headway" often implies overcoming obstacles or resistance, while "progress" is a more general term for moving forward. "Headway" suggests active effort and achievement.