make good headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make good headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate progress or advancement in a task or project. Example: "After several hours of work, we finally started to make good headway on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In 2012 the company continued to make good headway on this goal, which sets targets in four elements across the full lifecycle of the water CCE uses – protecting, reducing, recycling and replenishing.

The Guardian

I think there's a potential for utilities to make good headway.

Forbes

"Three-over is not great but I know if I shoot something in the red I'll make good headway".

BBC

The focus will be on clinical trials and tools and resources that can make good headway over 18 months autism screening tests and a patient database, for example.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Among the things that companies have already made good headway with is liaising with teachers.

Independent

In the capital, Freetown, reconstruction of public buildings and roads made good headway.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Menawhile, on the track on Thursday, Tony McCoy made good headway towards securing 4,000 winners over jumps by riding a brilliant five-timer at Carlisle.

The Guardian - Sport

The Taliban, while already controlling large parts of the east and south, are making good headway into the northern and western provinces.

The Guardian - Opinion

Owen added that rowing has made good headway in contrast to other sports, but that the change to the tideway in 2015 wouldn't be making much impact elsewhere anytime soon.

Independent

Diana Nyad was making good headway through the Florida Straits despite some physical complaints, about one-third of the way into her effort to log a record swim at 61.

The New York Times - Sports

Representative Mark Souder, an Indiana Republican who represents the Elkhart area, expressed some of the frustration common among officials who thought they had made good headway against the meth producers through aggressive enforcement of new laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger synonyms like "make significant progress" or "gain substantial ground" if you want to emphasize the magnitude of the advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "make good headway" when the progress is minimal or insignificant. Reserve it for situations where noticeable and meaningful advancement has been achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make good headway" functions as a verbal phrase indicating progress or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, suggesting its role in depicting ongoing positive movement toward a goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make good headway" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe significant progress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers insights into its application. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. For alternative phrasing, consider "make significant progress" or "gain ground" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "make good headway" when the progress is notable, and avoid overstating minor advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make significant progress

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the progress made.

gain ground

Suggests overcoming obstacles to advance.

advance steadily

Highlights consistent and stable progress.

move forward successfully

Focuses on the positive outcome of the advancement.

achieve positive results

Shifts the focus to the tangible outcomes of progress.

make strides

Implies significant steps or improvements.

push forward

Stresses the effort and determination involved in progressing.

forge ahead

Conveys a sense of determination and overcoming challenges.

make forward leaps

Suggests rapid or substantial progress.

turn the corner

Indicates a transition to a more favorable situation.

FAQs

How can I use "make good headway" in a sentence?

You can use "make good headway" to describe progress toward a goal. For instance, "The team is starting to "make good headway" on the project now that the initial obstacles have been overcome".

What are some alternatives to "make good headway"?

Alternatives include "make significant progress", "gain ground", or "advance steadily", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "make good headway" in formal writing?

Yes, "make good headway" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business and professional contexts. However, in highly academic or scientific writing, more precise language might be preferred.

What's the difference between "make good headway" and "make progress"?

"Make progress" is a more general term, while "make good headway" implies that the progress is substantial or notable. Therefore, "make good headway" is typically used when the advancement is significant.