make giant strides

USAGE SUMMARY

"make giant strides" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean making great progress or advancements, usually in a short amount of time. For example, "With his hard work and dedication, he was able to make giant strides in his career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kenyon believes football can make giant strides in the US.

The Guardian - Sport

However, it and other pharmaceuticals along with policymakers near and far must make giant strides to find proactive, creative and comprehensive solutions to stem and stop the tide of despair and misery".

The New York Times

Although the fundamentals of British policing depend little on technology (the unarmed professional citizen maintaining the peace by talking to people in the right way), it's nevertheless true that some advances have enabled policing to make giant strides.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He's made giant strides," Izzo said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think that the Catholic church is making giant strides.

The Guardian

Since 1949 Yunnan made giant strides in sanitation and public hygiene.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mulcahy's athletic program, which last year had a $34 million budget, has made giant strides.

The New York Times

Government officials, however, say the Border Patrol is making giant strides in the border battle.

The New York Times

Next best: Amazing Maria (2.20 Newbury) She has made giant strides since her satisfactory debut and a reversal of form with some rivals then would not surprise.

Independent

The African teams have made giant strides in that respect: there are so many African players in Europe now who bring experience and maturity to their national sides.

The Guardian - Sport

Fielding former football players like Carlin Isles and Perry Baker alongside homegrown talents such as Danny Barrett and Nate Augspurger, the Eagles have made giant strides.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make giant strides" to emphasize rapid and significant progress in a particular area. It's most effective when highlighting advancements that are noticeably larger than typical progress.

Common error

Avoid using "make giant strides" when describing gradual or incremental improvements. This phrase implies a rapid acceleration and notable breakthroughs, not a slow and steady climb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make giant strides" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of achieving significant and rapid progress. Ludwig examples show it used in the context of technological advancements and overall improvements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make giant strides" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that conveys significant and rapid progress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is both correct and usable in written English. Analysis of the provided examples shows frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, it's most appropriate when emphasizing notable breakthroughs rather than incremental changes. When writing, remember to consider alternative phrases like "achieve significant progress" or "advance by leaps and bounds" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve significant progress

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect of the progress, rather than the speed or magnitude of the steps.

make substantial headway

Emphasizes overcoming obstacles and moving forward effectively.

advance by leaps and bounds

Highlights rapid and significant advancement, using a more figurative expression.

progress rapidly

Simplifies the expression, focusing solely on the speed of the progress.

improve dramatically

Emphasizes the degree of improvement rather than the manner of achieving it.

gain ground quickly

Implies recovering from a deficit or disadvantage with speed.

move forward significantly

A more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing substantial progress.

make great advancements

Highlights the specific advancements achieved, differing slightly from the overall progress.

show remarkable development

Focuses on the observable development and its noteworthy quality.

reach new heights

Implies surpassing previous achievements and reaching a higher level of success.

FAQs

How can I use "make giant strides" in a sentence?

You can use "make giant strides" to describe significant and rapid progress. For example, "The company "made giant strides" in product development this year".

What's a good alternative to "make giant strides"?

Alternatives include "achieve significant progress", "make substantial headway", or "advance by leaps and bounds". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "make giant strides" in formal writing?

Yes, "make giant strides" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to emphasize the magnitude and speed of progress. However, ensure your audience understands idiomatic expressions.

Can "make giant strides" be used in a negative context?

While less common, "make giant strides" can be used sarcastically in a negative context to highlight a lack of progress or a setback. For example, "The project "made giant strides"... backward!"