limited headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limited headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress is slow or minimal, often in contexts like projects, negotiations, or problem-solving. Example: "Despite our efforts, we have made limited headway in resolving the ongoing issues with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Wayfarers ran out to leave footprints, studied a sign about speed records and watched a lone adventurer make limited headway in a kart equipped with a sail.

The New York Times - Travel

There has been limited headway in modern medicine's ability to alleviate chronic fatigue, pain, and other incapacitating symptoms.

Clinical Infectious Diseases

He also proposed to cap property taxes, but made limited headway in the Legislature.

The New York Times

So far, the Chinese have made only limited headway against Kenya's domestic newspapers and radio and television stations.

The New York Times

But Mr. Lieberman's hearing made only limited headway because the Obama administration has refused his requests for witnesses from the F.B.I. and Defense Department.

The New York Times

But it is true that the rise of ethical shopping, or what US sociologist Juliet Schor calls "conscious consumption", has made limited headway in fashion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Furthermore, a maximum follow-up headway of 4 s (applied to dominant lanes only) and a maximum critical headway of 10 s (applied to all lanes) were used; in order to prevent the prediction of very large values of follow-up and critical headways, the inscribed diameter value was limited to 20 m [66].

European Transport Research Review

Therefore, even if speed limited, it was possible for drivers to adopt short headways if they wished to.

BMJ Open

The minimum time interval between trains is shorter for rapid transit than for mainline railways owing to the use of block signaling: the minimum headway might be 90 seconds, which might be limited to 120 seconds to allow for recovery from delays.

Wikipedia

In order to prevent the prediction of very low follow-up headways, the maximum value of the inscribed diameter, used in the formula for calculating the follow-up headway in the case of the dominant lane, was limited to 80mm.

European Transport Research Review

Although some headway has been made, the majority of chemotherapeutic agents are limited by their non-specific actions and side effects.

Biochemical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limited headway", ensure the context clearly indicates the area in which progress is slow or minimal. This phrase is often effective in highlighting challenges or obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "limited headway" when no progress has been made at all. The phrase implies some degree of progress, however small. If there's been no movement, use "no progress" or "no advancement" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited headway" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb like "make" or "see". It signifies a restricted amount of progress or advancement, as supported by Ludwig's examples and analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "limited headway" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate that only a small amount of progress has been achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples of its use in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While relatively uncommon, it's a versatile phrase suitable for expressing measured progress in various situations. When using this phrase, be mindful of the subtle difference between making minimal advancement and making no advancement at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager progress

Emphasizes the small amount of progress made.

slight advancement

Focuses on the small degree of forward movement.

restricted development

Highlights the constrained nature of the development.

little improvement

Indicates a minimal level of positive change.

slow progress

Describes the pace of progress as being unhurried.

marginal gain

Stresses the small amount of benefit or advantage achieved.

insufficient progress

Focuses on the inadequacy of the progress made to meet expectations.

constrained progress

Emphasizes the limitations or restrictions impacting the progress.

modest development

Implies a humble or understated degree of development.

tardy advancement

Highlights the delayed nature of the advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "limited headway" in a sentence?

You can use "limited headway" to describe situations where progress is slow or minimal. For example: "Despite our efforts, we made "limited headway" in negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "limited headway"?

Alternatives include "meager progress", "slight advancement", or "little improvement". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "limited headway" formal or informal?

"Limited headway" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone of your writing than the specific setting.

What does it mean to make "limited headway"?

To make "limited headway" means to achieve only a small amount of progress, often in the face of challenges or resistance.