make more headway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make more headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing progress or advancement in a particular task or situation. Example: "After several weeks of hard work, we finally started to make more headway on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We might make more headway if we thought emergently.

The New York Times

He also referred to immigration reform, which may make more headway.

The Economist

At times, he wondered whether he would make more headway in New York or Los Angeles.

The New Yorker

Mr. Obama and his allies might have expected to make more headway.

The New York Times

If rugby is to make more headway this time around, it will likely need to win over those who currently favor the other game.

The New Yorker

Lack of congressional support, in turn, will doom Mrs Arroyo's plans to amend the constitution, although more modest reforms, including an overhaul of the electoral system in time for congressional elections in 2007, should make more headway.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But some places made more headway than others.

The Economist

Why, then, isn't Mr. Bush making more headway among women?

The New York Times

Mr. Corzine has made more headway — and gotten even more personal — in New Jersey's close race for governor.

The New York Times

Thailand could get sidelined if America's negotiators find they are making more headway with other countries, such as Malaysia.The political crisis, meanwhile, is not over.

The Economist

Global companies like McDonald's are also being nudged by rulemakers in Europe, where the animal welfare movement has made more headway with government officials.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make more headway" when you want to emphasize tangible forward movement or progress in a project, negotiation, or any endeavor where advancement is key.

Common error

Avoid substituting "make more headway" with overly general terms like "improve" without specifying the area of progress. Be specific about what is advancing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make more headway" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making significant progress or advancement in a particular task or situation. It suggests overcoming obstacles and moving forward effectively. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

TechCrunch

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make more headway" is a common and correct way to express the idea of achieving significant progress or advancement. Ludwig confirms that it's a usable and well-understood phrase in English writing. While it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, it can also be used effectively in business or general discussions. When using the phrase, consider the context and aim for specificity. While synonyms like "improve" exist, being specific about the area where progress is being made adds clarity and impact. The phrase can be used in various situations from project management to international negotiations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain further ground

Emphasizes incremental progress and gaining an advantage.

achieve greater progress

Focuses on the accomplishment of significant advancements.

make greater strides

Highlights substantial improvements and notable advancements.

advance further

Indicates continued movement and progression toward a goal.

move forward more effectively

Stresses the efficiency and impact of the forward movement.

accelerate progress

Implies speeding up the rate of advancement.

improve significantly

Focuses on the degree of betterment and enhancement.

reach a more advanced stage

Highlights the attainment of a higher level of development.

push forward with greater success

Emphasizes the effort and positive outcome of the advancement.

attain a higher degree of advancement

Focuses on reaching a superior level of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "make more headway" to indicate progress. For example, "We hope to "make more headway" in negotiations this week."

What can I say instead of "make more headway"?

You can use alternatives like "gain further ground", "achieve greater progress", or "make greater strides" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make more headway" or "make further progress"?

Both ""make more headway"" and "make further progress" are correct and often interchangeable, but ""make more headway"" can imply overcoming obstacles.

What does it mean to "make more headway" in a project?

To ""make more headway"" in a project means to make significant progress, overcome challenges, and move closer to achieving the project's goals.