headway in the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "headway in the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate progress or advancement towards a specific goal or objective. Example: "The team has made significant headway in the direction of improving customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They have copied certain technical effects, such as the use of the machine-gun and the sawed-off double-barrelled buckshot pistol, from the progressive Westerners, but they have made no headway in the direction of welding all gang interests into one big combination.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Quite possibly in the direction of Morgan.

Independent

Pointed in the direction of my hangar!

Forbes

Walk yourself in the direction of Africa.

WikiHow

Move in the direction of your miss.

WikiHow

Steer in the direction of the skid.

WikiHow

Score in the direction of the cut.

WikiHow

Brush in the direction of hair growth.

WikiHow

I manage to propel myself forward using my legs and my arms and slowly make headway in direction of the beach.

Huffington Post

"We have been able to make headway in the solution of some topics of mutual interest".

The New Yorker

Elsewhere, UKIP made headway in the north of England.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "headway in the direction of" when you want to emphasize a gradual or indirect movement toward a specific aim, especially when facing complexities or uncertainties. This framing can soften the expectation of immediate results.

Common error

Avoid using "headway in the direction of" when significant advancement has already been made. The phrase is better suited for situations where progress is incremental or still largely conceptual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "headway in the direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the way in which progress or advancement is oriented. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "headway in the direction of" is a grammatically correct way to describe progress toward a particular goal or aim. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although its frequency is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, followed by Wiki and Science related articles. While effective in specifying direction, remember to consider more concise alternatives like "progress towards" in situations where directness is preferred. Use this phrase when emphasizing intentionality in ongoing efforts rather than immediate accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progress towards

This alternative is a more direct and concise way of expressing advancement toward a goal.

advancement toward

This alternative emphasizes the act of moving forward, carrying a sense of deliberate progress.

movement in the direction of

This phrase emphasizes the act of moving or shifting, rather than necessarily making substantial progress.

making strides toward

This alternative suggests significant and noticeable improvements toward achieving a goal.

gaining ground toward

This alternative implies overcoming obstacles and making progress despite challenges.

heading towards

This option implies a trajectory or course being followed, less focused on the actual progress made.

inching closer to

This phrase suggests slow, gradual progress, often implying a long and difficult journey.

developing towards

This alternative highlights the aspect of growth and evolution in the process.

evolving towards

Similar to developing towards, but carries a stronger connotation of natural or organic progression.

working toward

This emphasizes the effort and activities being undertaken to reach a specific outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "headway in the direction of" in a sentence?

You can use "headway in the direction of" to describe incremental progress. For example, "The team has made significant headway in the direction of improving customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "headway in the direction of"?

Consider using phrases like "progress towards", "advancement toward", or "movement in the direction of" for similar meanings.

Is "headway in the direction of" formal or informal?

"Headway in the direction of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional or academic contexts, but might be perceived as somewhat wordy in casual conversation.

When is it best to use "headway in the direction of" instead of "progressing towards"?

Use "headway in the direction of" when you want to emphasize that progress is being made in a general course or aim, rather than reaching a specific milestone. It's useful when the path is not linear or fully defined, while "progressing towards" implies a more direct route.