making good headway

USAGE SUMMARY

"making good headway" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe progress. For example, "We've been making good headway on the project and should be able to finish well before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

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

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

"This report shows that, despite making good headway in influencing EU aid policy, DfID needs to push the EU for a better account of where taxpayers' money is going and to engage further with EU projects and programmes at a country level to ensure that it is spent to best effect".

The Guardian

Prio's making good headway, but Krasilovsky expects it will have competition fairly soon.

Forbes

Second place goes to Apple, with MySpace and Al Jazeera falling within the top 20 and YouTube and Wikipedia making good headway.

TechCrunch

Flight 146 is making good headway, almost across Romania by now, almost at the Black Sea.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

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

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

Use "making good headway" to convey that noticeable progress is being achieved, especially when initial efforts or difficulties might have suggested otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "making good headway" in very informal conversations or casual writing. Simpler phrases like "progressing well" or "doing well" might be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making good headway" functions as a verbal phrase indicating progressive action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase describes progress, as seen in many of the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "making good headway" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies noticeable or better-than-expected progress. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a range of sources, primarily news and media, as well as encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "making substantial progress" or "gaining ground", depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing, avoiding overuse in very informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making substantial progress

This alternative emphasizes the significance or amount of progress made.

achieving notable advancements

This phrase highlights the specific achievements or improvements made.

gaining ground

Implies overcoming obstacles or competition to advance.

moving forward steadily

Focuses on the consistent and reliable nature of the progress.

making significant strides

Emphasizes the length and importance of the progress.

progressing well

A more general and less emphatic way of describing progress.

advancing successfully

Highlights the successful nature of the advancement.

getting ahead

Implies surpassing others or expectations.

flourishing

Suggests thriving and developing in a positive direction.

prospering

Focuses on successful outcomes and positive results.

FAQs

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

You can use "making good headway" to describe progress in various contexts. For example: "The team is "making good headway" on the project", or "The company is "making good headway" in expanding its market share".

What are some alternatives to "making good headway"?

Some alternatives to "making good headway" include "making substantial progress", "gaining ground", and "moving forward steadily". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "making good headway" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "making good headway" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business reports, news articles, and academic papers. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it fits the overall style.

What's the difference between "making headway" and "making good headway"?

"Making headway" generally means making any progress, while "making good headway" suggests that the progress is significant or better than expected. The addition of "good" emphasizes the degree or quality of the progress.