in leaps and bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"in leaps and bounds" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe rapid progress or growth. For example, "The company's profits have been increasing in leaps and bounds since the new CEO took over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He's improving steadily, in leaps and bounds, yearly," DeBoer said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We should be moving in leaps and bounds".

The New York Times

"I've seen the game grow in leaps and bounds.

The Guardian - Sport

SEMICONDUCTOR firms make integrated circuits with critical dimensions that are shrinking in leaps and bounds.

The Economist

And Europe will only evolve by degrees, not in leaps and bounds.

The Guardian

One such way that has come on in leaps and bounds is the fashion film.

Independent

These have progressed in leaps and bounds over the past 20 years.

The Economist

In past years, the focus was on expanding in leaps and bounds.

The New York Times - Arts

They are making progress in leaps and bounds and have become an extremely ruthless outfit.

Independent

The technology of doping has clearly advanced in leaps and bounds since then.

The Economist

MOBILE phones have advanced in leaps and bounds over the past few years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in leaps and bounds" to describe progress that is not only fast but also occurs in significant increments or stages, rather than a gradual, linear progression.

Common error

Avoid using "in leaps and bounds" for minor or incremental improvements. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the progress is substantial and noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in leaps and bounds" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action occurs. It signifies that something is progressing or improving rapidly and significantly, not gradually. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "in leaps and bounds" signifies rapid and substantial progress. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and frequently used. Predominantly found in news and media, it describes changes that are not just fast, but also significant. While generally neutral in tone, its use should be considered in formal contexts. Remember, as illustrated in the examples, it best suits situations showing marked, accelerated improvement, rather than steady, incremental change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rapidly advancing

Focuses on the speed of the advancement.

Progressing swiftly

Emphasizes the quick pace of progress.

Advancing by leaps

Similar structure with a slightly different emphasis.

Quickly improving

Highlights the speed of improvement.

Making great strides

Implies significant achievements in progress.

Improving dramatically

Emphasizes the magnitude of the improvement.

Growing exponentially

Suggests an accelerating growth rate.

Developing fast

A more straightforward and less idiomatic way to express rapid development.

Flourishing quickly

Implies a healthy and rapid growth or development.

Surging ahead

Suggests a powerful and rapid forward movement.

FAQs

How can I use "in leaps and bounds" in a sentence?

You can use "in leaps and bounds" to describe rapid progress or growth, such as "Technology is advancing "in leaps and bounds"" or "Her understanding of the subject improved "in leaps and bounds" after the intensive course".

What are some alternatives to saying "in leaps and bounds"?

Alternatives include "rapidly advancing", "progressing swiftly", or "making great strides", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "progressed in leaps and bounds"?

Yes, "progressed in leaps and bounds" is grammatically correct. The phrase "in leaps and bounds" is an adverbial phrase that modifies the verb "progressed", indicating how the progress occurred.

What's the difference between "in leaps and bounds" and "gradually"?

"In leaps and bounds" implies rapid and significant advancements, whereas "gradually" indicates slow, incremental progress. Using the right phrase depends on the actual nature of the progress being described.