incremental inroads

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incremental inroads" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe gradual progress or small advancements made in a particular area or field. Example: "The company has made incremental inroads into the renewable energy market over the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He and Cole began to realize that helping individual families was making only incremental inroads into the broader educational problems faced by many traumatized children.

Harvard University

In the band of activity at the lower left of the matrix are core innovation initiatives — efforts to make incremental changes to existing products and incremental inroads into new markets.

Harvard Business Review

In the band of activity at the lower left of the matrix are core innovation initiatives efforts to make incremental changes to existing products and incremental inroads into new markets.

Harvard Business Review

It can be incremental changes to existing products or services, or incremental inroads into new markets.

Huffington Post

We both were speaking as if each generation would subsequently, almost effortlessly, make some kind of incremental inroads on the basic issues for girls and women: freedom of choice in all spheres of life, including access to health care, and, most importantly of all, to education.

Huffington Post

As the demographic make-up of America shifts, as progressive ideas make incremental inroads, as the historic 2008 Democratic primary and ascent of Barack Obama positively reflect the progress we've made, age-old fault lines come into play: race, gender, sexual orientation, religion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Since then the regime's incremental gains have been hard fought, with most inroads being pushed back by rebel fighters and locals, both still reeling from their losses of manpower in the war with Isis.

The Guardian

And despite efforts by the Bush administration to shrug it off as an incremental threat best dealt with through voluntary emissions controls and technological innovation, the issue has been making inroads in the collective imagination, spurred by new scientific reports pointing to rising temperatures around the world and melting ice fields in Greenland and Antarctica.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm making inroads".

The New Yorker

Google is only making inroads.

The New York Times - Tech

Incremental change.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incremental inroads" to describe situations where progress is being made gradually and in small steps, especially when entering new markets or addressing complex problems.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "incremental inroads" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "small gains" or "gradual progress" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incremental inroads" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb like "make", "achieve", or "represent". It describes the act of making gradual progress, as supported by Ludwig's examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incremental inroads" describes gradual progress, especially when entering new areas or addressing complex problems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. While not overly common, its use suggests a formal and analytical tone, best suited for professional or considered discussions. Alternative phrases like "gradual advancements" or "small gains" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small gains

Simple and direct alternative, emphasizing the size of the positive changes.

gradual advancements

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the progress; more general and less specific than "incremental inroads".

marginal improvements

Focuses on improvements that are almost insignificant. A slightly less positive connotation.

steady progress

Emphasizes the consistency of the advancement, downplaying the amount of work.

piecemeal progress

Highlights the fragmented nature of the advancements, made in stages rather than globally.

limited advances

Highlights the constrained extent of the progress made. More negative connotation.

step-by-step development

Illustrates a clear progression over time; less subtle than "incremental inroads".

minor breakthroughs

Implies overcoming obstacles with small victories; more impactful than "incremental inroads".

modest achievements

Focuses on the accomplishments themselves, rather than the process of making progress.

partial successes

Highlights the incompleteness of the positive outcomes, suggesting further work is needed.

FAQs

What does "incremental inroads" mean?

The phrase "incremental inroads" refers to making gradual progress or small advancements, especially when entering a new market or tackling a difficult issue.

How can I use "incremental inroads" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company is making "incremental inroads" into the electric vehicle market" or "The new policies are making "incremental inroads" in reducing pollution levels."

What are some alternatives to "incremental inroads"?

Consider using phrases like "gradual advancements", "steady progress", or "small gains" as alternatives to "incremental inroads", depending on the context.

Is it better to aim for "incremental inroads" or a complete overhaul?

The best approach depends on the situation. "Incremental inroads" can be effective for long-term, sustainable change, while a complete overhaul might be necessary for urgent or critical situations.