make headway with

USAGE SUMMARY

"make headway with" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to make progress with a particular project or task. For example: "I'm trying to make headway with my novel, but I'm struggling to find the right plot points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

He worries that Obama seems too professorial, too detached, to make headway with rural voters.

The New Yorker

Judging by senators' reactions, he managed to make headway with both sides.

The New York Times

Terrorists can only make headway with a measure of local support or connivance.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if a woman is to make headway with men, she must be truly masculine".

The New York Times - Arts

But those in work will also struggle to make headway with their finances.

The Guardian - Business

He could have chosen Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, seeking to make headway with Hispanic voters, a critical demographic group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Fempreneurs have the natural inclination to make headways with contrarian investing because of the way they are wired naturally.

Huffington Post

You would come home despairing at making headway with him".

The New Yorker

Most of them are already making headway with pure electrics.

The Economist

One Home Office source said: "He believed he made headway with backbenchers".

Independent

It was at this point that we really started making headway with her reading skills.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make headway with" to clearly convey progress being made on a task or project. It suggests forward movement despite potential obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "make headway with" when you actually mean to convey a lack of progress or being stuck. "Spinning your wheels" indicates expending effort without achieving results, the opposite of making headway.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make headway with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making progress or advancing in a particular activity or endeavor. This aligns with Ludwig's finding that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, as seen in the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make headway with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase meaning to make progress or advance in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile enough for various contexts, but is most often seen in News & Media. While the phrase is relatively straightforward, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects actual progress rather than a lack thereof. Alternatives like "make progress on" can provide slightly different nuances, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make progress on

Focuses specifically on the act of progressing, often in a more general sense than "make headway with".

advance with

Suggests a forward movement or progression, similar to "make headway with" but can imply a more strategic or planned advancement.

gain ground with

Implies improving one's position or influence, often in a competitive context.

achieve progress in

Highlights the accomplishment of making progress, emphasizing the result rather than the effort.

move forward with

Suggests a continuation of progress, often after a pause or obstacle.

push forward with

Implies a more forceful or determined effort to make progress.

forge ahead with

Suggests a strong, determined effort to overcome obstacles and make progress.

make strides in

Indicates significant progress or advancement, often implying a rapid pace.

gain traction with

Implies gaining acceptance or support for an idea or initiative.

break through with

Highlights achieving a significant breakthrough or overcoming a major obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "make headway with" to describe progress. For example, "The team is starting to "make headway with" the project after overcoming initial challenges."

What does "make headway with" mean?

The phrase "make headway with" means to make progress or advance in a particular activity or endeavor. It suggests overcoming obstacles and moving forward.

Which is the correct phrase, "make headway with" or "make head way with"?

The correct phrase is "make headway with", where "headway" is one word. "Head way" as two words is incorrect in this context.

What's a good alternative to "make headway with"?

Alternatives to "make headway with" include phrases like "make progress on", "advance with", or "gain ground with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.